Arsene Wenger left Arsenal in the summer of 2018 after 22 years in charge (Picture: Getty)

Ashley Cole fears Arsenal are in a state of transition and believes fans who wanted rid of Arsene Wenger are only now realising how vital the legendary Frenchman was in terms of maintaining stability over the course of his 22-year reign.

Wenger stepped aside in the summer of 2018 and was replaced by Unai Emery, but the Spaniard failed to deliver on early signs of promise and was sacked last month following a terrible run of form.

Freddie Ljungberg has taken charge of the first team on an interim basis and Cole, a former teammate of the Swede during the club’s most successful period under Wenger, would love to see the 42-year-old getting the job on a permanent basis.



‘There were a lot of people saying ‘Wenger out’. Then Wenger went and maybe they (the fans) understood what he actually did for the club and how he kept it together,’ Cole told Sky Sports.


‘Arsenal are in a transition period – they tried Emery and for whatever reason it didn’t work out.

Unai Emery was sacked by Arsenal last month following a terrible run of form (Picture: Getty)

‘Freddie is there and hopefully he can take over as permanent manager – he knows the club inside out.

‘Freddie was my friend at Arsenal and hopefully he can change some things there.’

Another of Cole’s ex-managers, Carlo Ancelotti, has been linked with Arsenal with speculation having intensified following his sudden departure from Napoli in midweek.

Arsenal understood to have several reservations about the 60-year-old but Cole credits the Italian with having played a key role in his Chelsea career.

He added: ‘A lot was spoken about whether I was going to leave or not but my heart was to stay at Chelsea.

‘Carlo did magnificently with the team. I liked how he was, not just as a manager but as a man. He was like your best friend.’

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