Cole aims to tap into anti-Blues sentiment

Ashley Cole wants to prove his commitment to Arsenal is genuine rather than mercenary, and his first chance to do so is against the perfect opposition. The England left-back faces Chelsea tomorrow for the first time since the inquiry into his meeting with the west London club's officials.

The Football Association fined Cole £100,000 in June for discussing a move to Chelsea in January but, after a breakdown in relations with his current club, an uneasy peace was reached and he signed a one-year contract extension at Highbury last month.

Cole having flirted with the champions, there are suspicions his heart is not in Arsenal and his salary was a bigger factor in him staying put. He denies this.

"That is not the case," he said. "I've signed because I want to play for Arsenal. End of."

He believes last season's events will not occupy his mind in Cardiff.

"I want to forget about everything in the past year and concentrate on the coming season," he said. "Everything that happened at the end of last season, I'm glad it's over now."

He added that he does not feel he has to justify himself but is prepared to do so.

"I've signed now, so I'm here for another three years. I'm happy to be here and win the fans over again. They want me to justify what happened."

He also wants to deliver for his manager.

"It's always nice to win something for Arsene Wenger," he said, adding that the Frenchman was just one of many reasons for him staying at Highbury.

Despite his falling-out with Arsenal's vice-chairman, David Dein, at the time of the tapping-up inquiry, Cole holds no grudges after the sorry episode.

"I don't hate anyone," he said. "I think it can only make me stronger and more willing to learn and more keen to win silverware."

Even the suggestion by Chelsea's chief executive, Peter Kenyon, that the Blues will cruise to the title fails to rile Cole.

"Everyone's got their opinions," he said. "Fair enough. Let the man say what he's got to say."

Although tomorrow's match is for the Community Shield rather than the bigger prizes, Cole predicts no quarter will be given: "It's going to be a tough game. There probably will be hard tackles and things like that but we play like that against every team.

"To win against Chelsea would be a big thing for the club. It would give the players a lot of confidence going into the season that we can beat them."

Cole insists the identity of the opposition will not affect his performance.

"Whatever team we were playing, I'd play 100 per cent," he said, but admitted that seeing the resources of Chelsea makes him want to defeat them even more.

"It's always an incentive when you see them buy all these players."

Chelsea's new status has intensified the rivalry between the two clubs.

"All the players here want to prove we are the best team. It's fierce in that sense," said Cole.

The dispute between the clubs over Cole himself may just have made it that bit fiercer.

Guardian Service