Wenger calls for respect
08 Dec 2006 - 16:46:49
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hopes Gunners fans will respect Ashley Cole on Sunday when the former player lines up in Chelsea's team for the Premiership clash between the two London teams at Stamford Bridge.
Cole has admitted he is expecting a hostile reception from the visiting fans after blasting Arsenal in his autobiography following his controversial transfer from the Gunners to Chelsea that included a tapping-up row.
But Wenger hopes things don't get out of hand, saying: "We want Ashley to be respected like everybody else.
"He's done well for the club and has now chosen to play for Chelsea. That's not a problem for me.
"It is important Arsenal beat Chelsea on Sunday and don't focus on one player. Our supporters are disappointed he left the club, we can accept and understand that, but that should not stop them from respecting him."
Cole had earlier said: "I have to be honest with myself. I think I'm going to get booed badly. I'm very well aware that some fans are very angry.
"Some people are going to agree with what I've done and some aren't. But I didn't move for money. It was a point of principle. I didn't feel I was wanted.
"In any other job, if someone works for one company then goes to work for another it's not a problem. But if you do it as a footballer you are greedy and leaving for the money. I'm not going to say it's unfair because footballers have a great life. But it's not easy.
"I think I'm going to get stick when I go back there. Yet if I stayed at Arsenal I was still likely to get abuse.
"All through last season I had to deal with it and it's made me stronger and hopefully it can keep making me stronger."
Meanwhile, Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann hopes the Gunners fans do give Cole a hard time, saying: "Of course Ashley should expect criticism from supporters on Sunday. He should get criticism. That is football. It makes the game exciting.
"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."
