Over the course of his many years at Arsenal, Arsene Wenger built formidable squads full of iconic players.
However, there were times when the Frenchman could not stop his star players from seeking pastures new. For instance, Patrick Vieira, a cornerstone of the “invincibles” 2003/2004 side, departed for Inter Milan only one year later.
Wenger lost two of his finest players to Barcelona in the following years. All-time Arsenal leading scorer Thierry Henry moved to the Nou Camp in 2007; club captain Cesc Fabregas followed in Henry’s footsteps four years later. However, the Spaniard’s transfer was more of a homecoming as he came through Barca’s academy.
Arsenal, Arsene Wenger and Gunners fans prefer to forget the transfer of another particular club captain. Robin Van Persie joined rivals Man United in 2012, much to the dismay of the Arsenal faithful.
However, Wenger wished one other player returned to the Emirates most of all.
Arsene Wenger makes his pick
When asked which player he would’ve re-signed on BeIN sport, Arsene Wenger acknowledged the long service that the majority of his players gave him: “Well, I would say most of the time the players gave us seven/eight/nine years then left after.”
However, he made it clear that he regretted losing one man in particular.
“The player I think who internally it was a mistake to lose was Ashley Cole because he was playing from 9-10 years old at the club.
“I knew that Fabregas, by taking him away from Barcelona, at some stage, he would want to go back. But Ashley Cole came out of the club, and I think there was a misunderstanding for a few thousand pounds, you know?”
Wenger expressed frustration that Arsenal could not keep Cole at his boyhood club. The Frenchman also mentioned how Cole flourished into one of the best left-backs in the world.
“He was one of the few players who developed even more and continued to develop when he left.”
Cole’s move was a huge loss for Arsenal.
Why did Ashley Cole leave Arsenal?
Despite Wenger’s wishes, Ashley Cole was never likely to return once he left North London. The England international and Arsenal had fallen out over a contract extension. Cole wanted somewhere in the region of £60,000 a week, whereas Arsenal offered £54,000.
A tapping-up fine for Chelsea and Cole over a meeting in 2005 did little to convince Arsenal that he wanted to stay either.
However, it wasn’t just about money for the England man. In an interview with BBC Sport, Cole claimed that Arsenal’s decision to sell key players such as Patrick Vieira also played a role in his decision to move.
Eventually, the defender joined Chelsea on the 2006 transfer deadline day for just £5 million, plus William Gallas in the other direction. Arsenal fans were outraged, calling Cole “Cashley” and throwing fake money at him on his return. The animosity closed down any possibility of returning to the Emirates for Cole.
The disagreements that ruined Cole’s relationship with his boyhood club must make Arsene Wenger wonder about what could have been.
