Thierry Henry has dubbed former Arsenal team-mate Ashley Cole the best left-back he's ever seen, but Manchester United icon Roy Keane disagrees with that sentiment
Henry
Thierry Henry insists that ex-Arsenal peer Ashley Cole is the best left-back he has ever seen
(Image: Stick to Football)
Manchester United legend Roy Keane scoffed at Thierry Henry's claim that former Arsenal and Chelsea man Ashley Cole is the best left-back he has seen. Henry insisted that the ex-England defender doesn't get the credit he deserves on the back of his unceremonious move to Stamford Bridge.
Hale End graduate Cole began his Gunners career in 1999 when he made his full debut, and would go on to establish himself under Arsene Wenger as one of the Premier League's finest full-backs. The Englishman won two league titles in north London as well as three FA Cup trophies, and was pivotal in the club's famous 2003/04 Invincibles campaign.
While Cole, who played over 200 times for Arsenal, saw his Gunners legacy somewhat tarnished in 2006 when he joined bitter rivals Chelsea in an acrimonious switch, Henry believes he still doesn't get the recognition he deserves as one of English football's finest ever left-backs. Though Red Devils legend Keane slightly disagrees.
"There is a guy that I want to talk about, who I don't understand why in this country he doesn't get his respect: Ashley Cole," Henry stated on the Stick to Football podcast. "Ashley Cole was outstanding.
"Firstly, in 2000, Ashley went to Crystal Palace on loan, and he saved them from relegation, playing as a winger. When you have a left-back that can dribble past their winger, he was the one who created space for the rest of the team at Arsenal. He started everything.
"For me, Ashley Cole is the best left-back I have ever seen. Me. I'm not talking about everybody. Ashley Cole… Going forward, defending, the desire, what he won and why he won it."
Henry and Cole with a trophy
Henry and Cole won two league titles together with Arsenal(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
While Henry sang the praises of his former team-mate, who he played alongside a staggering 195 times in the red of Arsenal, Keane then chimed in. "I think he was a brilliant player, but when you talk about great left-backs, he doesn't spring to my mind," quipped Keane. "Of course, he was a brilliant player."
Henry rebuked Keane's claim and went on to discuss Cole's controversial and bad-blooded move from the north of London to the west, explaining he feels it is why the left-back isn't quite held in the regard he deserves. He continued: "Ashley Cole is an Arsenal man.
"His whole family supports Arsenal. But I can understand why he left at the time. In 2005, David Dein shook hands on a deal, but he came back with something else.
"With Ashley moving to Chelsea, people don't give him the respect he deserves for everything that he has done. But for me, Cole was outstanding."
Roy Keane and Thierry Henry arguing
Keane wasn't having any of Henry's claim(Image: Stick to Football)
Former Arsenal vice-chairman Dein oversaw plenty of successes during his 24 years in the role, but he previously admitted that letting the left-back leave was one of his biggest regrets before stepping down in 2007.
Cole was offered a hefty pay rise by Stamford Bridge chiefs and he went on to enjoy a fruitful eight-year spell with the club, winning one league title, a Champions League, Europa League, League Cup, Community Shield and four FA Cups. He's considered very much in the debate of the greatest left-backs of all time alongside the likes of Roberto Carlos, Marcelo and Paolo Maldini.
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