Cole says farewell to teammates

Arsenal fullback Ashley Cole has told teammates and coaching staff that he is leaving. The Times says Cole has told Gunners vice-chairman David Dein he does not want to play for Arsenal again. Although stopping short of issuing a formal transfer request, the England defender made it clear that he is desperate to leave, a message he will reaffirm in a meeting with Arsène Wenger, the manager, today. It is also understood that he took the opportunity to say goodbye to several members of the club’s backroom staff who he has known for the best part of a decade, in anticipation that a hugely controversial move to Chelsea can be forced through by the end of the week. With Dein insisting that Cole would stay at the club if a price could not be agreed, Arsenal are holding out for £25 million.