...claims he joined Chelsea because he was angry that Arsenal made no serious attempt to keep him. The England defender wanted £60,000 a week but says the Gunners board were only prepared to offer him £55,000.

"I don't believe the board gave a damn about keeping me, it preferred to haggle over a difference of £5,000," said Cole in his new book, My Defence.

The 25-year-old left-back was told of the board's refusal to sanction the deal while he was driving his car and says he nearly swerved off the road. "I was trembling with anger."

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Yeah I can understand him being angry, the tight bastads haggling over a pittance so small that it would barely have paid for two very good players at a club like say ... oh, Hartlepool.

As he says, Arsenal are just not serious. Stick it to 'em Ashley!

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He is gash, over rate, dogshite, not worth 50 per week as far as I am concerned

'When I heard Jonathan repeat the figure of £55k, I nearly swerved off the road. ‘He is taking the p***, Jonathan!’ I yelled down the phone. I was trembling with anger'

Fucking unbelievable.