Ashley Cole has explained the reasons behind his controversial exit from Arsenal to join London rivals Chelsea, while admitting he holds some regret behind how the transfer materialised.
The Gunners' academy graduate was a fans' favourite in North London, winning the Premier League twice and three FA Cups during his spell at the club.
However, he left the club in 2006 following a year-long transfer saga that saw Cole and Chelsea fined following an illegal approach - and he then hit out at Arsenal's board after his exit, accusing them of making him a 'scapegoat'.
Looking back, Cole admits that mistakes were made and has lifted the lid on his decision, believing that the club was losing it's core.
“The transition in terms of being in a different group, environment and players was easy because at the time when I first started at Arsenal, we had a core – the Keowns, the Seamans, the Vieiras, the Henrys, the Adams’,” Cole told BBC Sport.
“When they started to leave, I felt there were holes in the culture of what it was that brought success. I just felt it was falling apart a bit, or there were gaps missing and they weren’t filled.
“So that transition in terms of finding myself in a different culture and the willingness and want to win, I went to Chelsea and I had that.”
However, he went on to admit that he did hold some regrets around how the move materialised and stated he does shoulder some of the blame.
Yeah, I think when you look back, there were mistakes, for sure, on both sides. One hundred per cent, it’s not just entirely my fault and it’s not entirely their fault.
“I was probably a little bit too stubborn at the time and felt a little bit hard done by. I was a little bit babyish to be honest, but it’s something I won’t ever regret and I wouldn’t ever change that situation.
“It’s just something that happened. Maybe it was meant to be, who knows? But I definitely feel unjust about it because it wasn’t what people think in terms of money. It’s crazy, but that was probably the last thing on my mind.”
