Chelsea and Arsenal have issued a joint statement confirming Ashley Cole's protracted move was finally completed with just minutes to spare before the transfer window shut.

Following months of on-off negotiations, a £5million cash deal plus William Gallas was accepted by Arsenal for the England left-back, with both men undergoing medicals on the night of the deadline.

However, although all the relevant paperwork had been lodged with the Premier League, neither club had made an announcement as such by the time the midnight deadline passed.

Indeed, it was not until 1.30 the following morning that a statement was finally issued by the Barclays Premiership champions confirming the deal had been completed, bringing the farcical saga to an end.

"Chelsea FC and Arsenal have agreed terms for the transfers of Ashley Cole and William Gallas," the statement read.

"Chelsea will also pay Arsenal 5million pounds.

"Both players have agreed personal terms and passed their respective medicals."

Cole, 25, had not figured in the Arsenal first team this season, but played in the reserves' 4-0 win against Charlton before joining up with the England squad in Manchester.

The defender had long been expected to leave the Gunners, following the 'tapping-up' scandal when Cole was guilty of meeting Chelsea officials in a London hotel.

Relations between Arsenal and Chelsea have been distinctly cold since then, and the player's position seemed untenable having criticised the Gunners in extracts from his soon-to-be-published book.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insisted the club would only sell if the deal was right for them - and had intimated he would have no qualms about bringing the defender back into the fold should he still be at the club.

That, though, is now an uncomfortable scenario Wenger will not have to face as he continues first-team plans this season without a player regarded as one of the best left-backs in the world.