Arsene Wenger surprised after Chelsea leave out Ashley Cole

Ashley Cole

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has expressed his surprise at the absence of Ashley Cole from Chelsea’s first-team in recent weeks.

Cole played for Arsenal under Wenger but moved to Chelsea after a breakdown of communication over a contract extension and has been the first-choice left-back at Chelsea ever since.

However, in recent weeks, he’s been pushed out of the side by Jose Mourinho who has decided to use Cesar Azpilicueta instead.

“Yes, it is a surprise to me that Ashley has been left out by Chelsea,” he said.

“I still see Ashley sometimes in the big games, he can produce great performances still.

“I don’t know whether he is still England’s best left-back – my name is not Roy Hodgson.”

Cole will miss out against Arsenal at the Emirates after Mourinho stated Azpilicueta would start in the wake of the news that Cole attended Arsenal’s Christmas party.