Arsenal look to win as tribute to Rocastle

Arsenal and England left-back Ashley Cole believes winning the Premiership title in the final season at Highbury would be a fitting tribute to the memory of former midfielder David `Rocky' Rocastle.

Cole claims he and his Arsenal team-mates will be further inspired to wrestle the title back from London rivals Chelsea after he attended the launch of the David Rocastle charity launch at Highbury.

Arsenal announced the David Rocastle Trust would be their chosen charity for their final season at the famous old stadium.

The Gunners move to their new Ashburton Grove stadium next summer and felt it was appropriate to choose a charity with Arsenal links for their final campaign at Highbury.

The Trust was founded in the memory of the Arsenal midfielder, affectionately known as `Rocky', who died from cancer four years ago at the age of 33.

Following consultations with the club's fans, Rocastle's former agent and friend Jerome Anderson, and his family, the charity has been set up to assist his surviving family and to support community projects in `Rocky's' name.

Cole, a lifelong Arsenal fan, was delighted to be part of the launch even though he was never a close friend of the player.

But he believes the emotional link between the club and player will spur them on to regain the title from holders Chelsea this season.

Cole said: "Hopefully we can win the league and make it even better because that would end an era at Highbury in the year of David's charity. He was loved here and the fans are right behind it, so winning the league would be even more special.

"We want to win things and because he was a legend here it is going to push us on to win something and make his family happy."

Cole gave away his Saab car when Rocky passed away in 2001 as part of an appeal to help make people more aware of the disease.

He was also in the Arsenal line-up playing Tottenham in a north London derby on the day Rocastle lost his fight for life.

Cole added: "I have fond memories of `Rocky'. The first time I met him I was playing for the kids team and was injured at the time. I had see the physio at Highbury and `Rocky' was also sitting on a treatment table.

"I've always remembered that because he didn't have to speak to me at the time. He was injured as well but he took time out to talk to me. He asked who and how I was and from that moment I followed his career and wanted to play like him.

"I didn't get to watch him at Highbury too many times because we couldn't get tickets but he was like a Brazilian. He had so much skill and he was loved by the players and the fans. He was amazing and everyone loved him."

Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein added: "I'm absolutely delighted that Arsenal are embarking on such a special partnership during our final season in the stadium where David once played.

"I've never made any secret about my fondness for him on or off the pitch and I'm very pleased he will be remembered by our supporters and his fans who can contribute to the cause in their own way."

Arsenal are to embark on a number of initiatives for the Rocastle Trust and these include dedicating a match day to the former England player and the club's current players will lend their support to various fund-raising activities during the season.