Ashley Cole responds after being asked if he ever laughs at Arsenal

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By Rob Swan

Published Mar 22, 2017

He’s just made himself even more unpopular in the eyes of the Arsenal fans…

Hell hath no fury like an Arsenal fan scorned. Just ask Ashley Cole.The left-back went from hero to villain in the eyes of the Gunners’ faithful after he decided to quit the north London outfit in order to join Jose Mourinho at Chelsea back in 2006.Cole, a local lad, spent seven years at Arsenal - plus two more as a youth player - but was furious when the club only offered him £55,000-a-week which, even at the time, was considerably lower than the top earners at Highbury.In his autobiography, My Defence, the defender admitted he was so incensed by the offer that he almost swerved his car off the road."He [Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein] is taking the p***, Jonathan!", Cole wrote when recalling the conversation with his agent. "I was trembling with anger. I couldn't believe what I'd heard."

Arsenal fans will always hate 'Cashley'

The manner of Cole’s departure infuriated the Arsenal fans, who still refer to the 36-year-old as “Cashley”.

He received a hostile reception every time he visited the Emirates Stadium following his move to Stamford Bridge.

Cole asked if he regrets leaving Arsenal

However, Cole believes he made the right decision to join the Blues, with whom he spent eight successful seasons and won every major trophy.

Asked if he ever regretted leaving Arsenal on ITV One’s game show Play To The Whistle, Cole replied: “I had a great time there and of course I missed the old players that were there when I was there but, listen, I moved on and won every trophy I wanted to so I wouldn’t look back and say I regretted it, no.”

Cole asked if he laughs at Arsenal's struggles

Cole was then asked by comedian - and Arsenal fan - Romesh Ranganathan if he laughed to himself at the way the Gunners went downhill following his departure.

The former England international replied: “If I’m honest, yeah, I still laugh to myself to this day. You have to.

“I had a lot of history there and of course the way I left was a bit dodgy but I think the lack of respect they showed me, as well, so…”

Cole asked if he blames anyone for Arsenal departure

Holly Willoughby, the show’s host, then asked Cole if there’s anyone he blames for his Arsenal exit.

“I have to blame myself as well,” he added. “Maybe I done things in the wrong way. But, when I look back at it now, I think there are a lot of parties that I could blame.”