Arsene Wenger Reveals Ashley Cole Departure Was ‘Regret of His Life’
Legendary Gunners manager Arsene Wenger has described his decision to let Ashley Cole leave Arsenal in 2006 as the ‘regret of his life’. The Frenchman spent 22 years in charge of the north Londoners from 1996 to 2018, delivering three Premier League titles and seven FA Cup trophies.
Wenger has now opened up about one of his biggest mistakes during his spell at Arsenal and pointed towards his call to let Cole exit the club 17 years ago. Cole left Arsenal to join Chelsea and established himself as one of the best left-backs in world football, helping the Blues win the Champions League among other titles.
‘I would say of the players who left Arsenal who had a very big career after Arsenal is Ashley Cole,’ Wenger said on the Seaman Says podcast. ‘He was the only one who moved on and fulfilled his career and it was a regret of my life. Recently we had a meeting, I as glad he was in the meeting, because he had a bad feeling and I had a regret that he left the club at the time.’
Wenger also revealed that Arsenal were ‘close’ to signing Cristiano Ronaldo and N’Golo Kante during his tenure. Portuguese superstar Ronaldo had two spells at Manchester United while Kante went to Chelsea after winning the Premier League with Leicester City.
‘I missed many great players, we missed Ronaldo, he was close to signing for us, Kante… you miss many but it’s part of every football club,’ Wenger added.
The Impact of Ashley Cole’s Departure
Ashley Cole’s departure from Arsenal in 2006 had a huge impact on the club’s fortunes. The England international was one of the most talented left-backs in the world at the time and his departure left a void in the team’s defense.
Cole went on to have a hugely successful career at Chelsea, winning multiple trophies including the Champions League. His departure from Arsenal was a huge blow for the club and Wenger has admitted that it was one of his biggest regrets during his time at the club.
Arsenal’s Missed Opportunities
Wenger also revealed that Arsenal were close to signing some of the world’s best players during his tenure. Cristiano Ronaldo and N’Golo Kante were both linked with moves to Arsenal but ultimately decided to join other clubs.
The Gunners have been unable to attract world-class players in recent years and Wenger’s admission that they were close to signing some of the best players in the world highlights just how far they have fallen in recent years.
Conclusion
Arsene Wenger’s decision to let Ashley Cole leave Arsenal in 2006 was one of his biggest regrets during his time at the club. The England international went on to have a hugely successful career at Chelsea and his departure left a void in Arsenal’s defense.
Wenger also revealed that Arsenal were close to signing Cristiano Ronaldo and N’Golo Kante during his tenure but ultimately missed out on both players. The Gunners have been unable to attract world-class players in recent years and Wenger’s admission highlights just how far they have fallen in recent years.