Lehmann: Cole deserves flak
08 Dec 2006 - 07:42:16
Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has warned former team-mate Ashley Cole that he deserves all the flack the Arsenal fans will throw at him when the Gunners take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Cole left the Gunners in acrimonious circumstances in the summer following a protracted transfer that saw William Gallas head in the opposite direction.
The 25-year-old was initially involved in allegations of 'tapping up' in 2005 and then earned the wrath of the Arsenal fans by writing a book in which he criticised the Gunners over their offer of a new contract.
The England full-back will face his former employers for the first time at the weekend and Lehmann has warned Cole to expect a backlash from the supporters.
"Of course Ashley should expect criticism from supporters on Sunday. He should get criticism. That is football. It makes the game exciting," he said.
"If he didn't it would have meant that he wasn't an important player, but he was. He was a vital member of our squad and we enjoyed some major successes with him.
"So obviously he should expect some negative emotions when he plays against Arsenal.
"I do not understand why young players write books. I do not know why a player at 25 wants to tell me all about their big experiences.
"When I consider the age I am now, I would have a lot to tell people. But it seems to be an English habit to come out with books that nobody needs.
"I don't know if Cole should have waited before writing his book but the English mentality seems to be different to elsewhere."
