Put aside the hatred generated by Ashley Cole's departure from Arsenal. I know it’s hard; I too have tried to do so. But take a second and ask yourself which full-back is better - Cole or Gael Clichy?

I used to be a big fan of the local-born defender who found himself a regular in the Highbury line-ups for the best part of six years. And when he left I was convinced we would more than make up for it with the abundantly talented young Frenchman. Don’t get me wrong, I rate 22-year-old Clichy highly, but I do wonder which of the two players is better.

Both are tremendous in their position and offer qualities both in defence and when the team are attacking, although sometimes a little too much of the latter and not enough of the former. Such is the design of a modern day full-back, I guess. Due to the heinous behaviour in that hotel lobby, when Cole 'accidentally' met with Chelsea representatives, a lot of the good things he did for the club went out the window, which is neither wrong nor unsurprising. Believe me, I was as infuriated as anyone over those events.

'There have been occasions that I would consider Wayne Bridge to be a better bet than Cole for the left-back slot both for club and country'


In the cold light of day, though, do Arsenal fans think that Clichy really has what it takes to be as good as Cole? I thought last season he showed glimpses of already being on a par, if not even better, than Chelsea’s England international. And on occasions this season he has been breathtaking, again more going forward than when on duty at the back.

Cole’s career has stagnated somewhat at Stamford Bridge, and on the international scene as well, and injury permitting there have been occasions that I would consider Wayne Bridge to be a better bet for the left-back slot both for club and country. Off the pitch the 26-year-old has appeared for the most part as a money-grabbing lowlife who seems to have no redeeming qualities whatsoever. This opinion may have been largely as a result of a media construct that bears no resemblance to the man himself, but I doubt it.

I have read a few pages of Cole's book, by the way, and I can tell you that I have read jokes on lollipop sticks that have more substance and literary appeal than his ‘penned’ autobiography. A side point to this has to be that ‘We all live in a Perry Groves World’ is quite easily the best attempt by anyone in the footballing, maybe even sporting, fraternity to sum up what it means to be a hero in thousands of supporters' eyes. Cole has done himself no favours both on and off the field, this is beyond doubt. But all this aside, is he, or indeed was he, better than his replacement can ever be in purely playing terms?