Arsenal and Chelsea may be rivals on the pitch but the achievements of one man have led to a unique collaboration off it.

Ashley Cole, who spent eight successful years with the Gunners before departing amicably for Stamford Bridge in 2006, is to receive the unprecedented honour of being jointly commemorated by two clubs.

The statue, designed by award-winning Norwegian sculptor Olaf Lipro will be inspired by the 'half half' scarf, and will see Cole wearing half an Arsenal kit and half a Chelsea kit.

Lipro said: "The brief was that, as Cole is held with such affection by both Arsenal and Chelsea fans, I must find a way of marking his time at both clubs.

"The half half statue is an idea I came up with after seeing fans wearing scarves with two clubs on it."

After months of secret talks the two London clubs have scrapped an initial 'statue-share' proposal which would involve it being rotated between the Emirates and Stamford Bridge every six months.

Instead Cole's statue will be placed in Regent's Park due to it being equidistant to the club's two stadiums.

The statue is due to be unveiled in June 2016 - the tenth anniversary of when Ashley Cole nearly 'swerved off the road' after hearing Arsenal were only offering him £55,000 a week - a move which led to him joining Chelsea.

It is also understood that Crystal Palace, whom Cole played 14 games for during a loan spell in 1999, have officially requested that at least 'one sock' on the statue is red and blue striped as a nod to his time at Selhurst Park.