Cole, Ashley (1980- )

English footballer. An attacking left-sided full back for Arsenal and England, he made his first team debut in November 1999. He had established himself in the side a year later and became an automatic selection in that position ever since, helping Arsenal win the league title in 2002 and 2004, and the FA Cup in 2002, 2003, and 2005. He also played in the 2006 European Champions League final against Barcelona, having missed most of the previous seven months through injury, but Arsenal lost 2-1. He made his international debut in March 2001 and played for England in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and also in the 2004 European Championships.

Career highlights

International appearances (2001- ): 51

English League Championship: 2002, 2004

English FA Cup: 2002, 2003, 2005

In 2005, Cole was accused of making inappropriate contact with another club while still under contract with Arsenal, after it was reported that he and his agent had met with the Chelsea chief executive, Peter Kenyon, without alerting Arsenal. He was charged by the English Football Association and fined £100,000; the fine was later reduced slightly on appeal but the guilty verdict was not rescinded.