Wenger: Cole should leave
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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits he's keen to sell want-away fullback Ashley Cole.
Cole, 25, will once again be missing tonight when the Gunners face Dinamo Zagreb in the second leg of their Champions League third qualifying round.
And with time running out before the transfer window slams shut on August 31, Wenger said: "My squad will be light if we lose Ashley and don't get anyone in to replace him - but even then I will still let him go.
"I am very keen to get this situation resolved as quickly as possible. The season has started but I still do not have a settled squad.
"All the talk is about players who are not playing and we need everyone to be focused on achieving our targets for the season.
"I only want players who are completely committed to the cause and pulling in the same direction.
"Players who are half in and half out of the club cannot be focused and Cole cannot focus for as long as his situation has not been sorted out.
"It's not damaging to us at the moment but it is not helping and it could become damaging in the future."
Cole returned to training with the Gunners three weeks ago but has not played in any of their games so far.
Yet Wenger added: "There are no problems with that. Nobody refuses to speak to him because he wants a transfer."
Cole, 25, will once again be missing tonight when the Gunners face Dinamo Zagreb in the second leg of their Champions League third qualifying round.
And with time running out before the transfer window slams shut on August 31, Wenger said: "My squad will be light if we lose Ashley and don't get anyone in to replace him - but even then I will still let him go.
"I am very keen to get this situation resolved as quickly as possible. The season has started but I still do not have a settled squad.
"All the talk is about players who are not playing and we need everyone to be focused on achieving our targets for the season.
"I only want players who are completely committed to the cause and pulling in the same direction.
"Players who are half in and half out of the club cannot be focused and Cole cannot focus for as long as his situation has not been sorted out.
"It's not damaging to us at the moment but it is not helping and it could become damaging in the future."
Cole returned to training with the Gunners three weeks ago but has not played in any of their games so far.
Yet Wenger added: "There are no problems with that. Nobody refuses to speak to him because he wants a transfer."
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