Cole to silence Arsenal fans

Former Gunner expects criticism at Emirates

By James Dall   Last updated: 26th November 2007

Cole to silence Arsenal fans

Cole: Expecting hostility

They (the Arsenal fans) threw money at me at Stamford Bridge, and that was bad, but I get that every game. I love it.

Ashley Cole
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England players received a heavy dose of verbal abuse at the weekend; however Ashley Cole believes he will be on the end of worse tirade when Chelsea take on Arsenal in December.

The failure to reach Euro 2008 saw fans up and down the country boo those that represented England in their 12 qualifying games.

However, Blues left-back Cole is sure that when his side travel to The Emirates on 16th December, the home fans will give him a much more hostile reception.

The 26-year-old missed last season's trip to North London through injury, but he insists that this time round he is eagerly anticipating coming up against his old club.

Love it

"Compared to what happened to the England guys, I am sure I will get much worse when I go back to Arsenal," Cole said in the Daily Mail.

"But I am used to it, and I am looking forward to the game. I want to go there and play them because I did not get to play there earlier this year.

"I will go there and front up. I am a grown man. They (the Arsenal fans) threw money at me at Stamford Bridge, and that was bad, but I get that every game. I love it.

"It would be nice to go there and shut some people up. It's going to be tough though.

Reception

"To be honest, I am really not bothered about the reception I will get, even though I know the crowd will get on my back.

"I don't think I have anything to prove to them. They know how good I was when I was with them and what I did for the club. It is not about that.

"Of course Arsenal still means something to me. I don't hate the club or the players.

"I love the club, but it has finished for me there now. I need to look at myself and Chelsea and do as well as I can and win as many things as I can here."