Arsenal

Agent vows to clear Cole's name
Ashely Cole's agent Jonathan Barnett has vowed to clear both their names after Cole's £100,000 fine for the Chelsea tapping up row. Cole was punished by the Premier League for his meeting with Blues' chiefs in a London restaurant in January. "We are not prepared to accept what has happened and we will do what it takes to clear our names," said Barnett. "We feel so strongly about this we will appeal and fight on. We will not stop. It would be easy to accept the fine." He added: "This is the most important thing in our lives at the moment. "I am actually more determined to clear Ashley's name than my own. But I have always maintained that I am innocent of any wrongdoing." Cole was found guilty of approaching Chelsea when the Premier League's independent commission gave their verdicts in the tapping-up row on Wednesday. While the Arsenal full-back's conduct was deemed to have been "unacceptable", the commission ruled that he had been "manipulated to a large extent by his agent". The FA have started gathering evidence on Barnett's alleged role in the affair, with a misconduct charge possible in the future.

Vieira denies Cole message claims
Patrick Vieira has denied claims he sent Arsenal team-mate Ashley Cole a text message telling him to hold out for a contract of £80,000 a week. Documents from the Chelsea tapping-up inquiry said Cole's agent Jonathan Barnett showed Arsenal's David Dein a text during contract talks. In it, Vieira allegedly told Cole not to accept "less than £80,000 a week". "I categorically deny sending any such text message. It's simply not true," Vieira said in a statement. Chelsea, Cole and Blues manager Jose Mourinho were all fined after being found guilty on Wednesday of breaking Premier League rules by holding a secret meeting. Documents released by the independent commission on Friday revealed a number of claims made by the various parties. They included the revelation that Barnett showed Dein the text in January after the Arsenal vice-chairman said £55,000 a week was the club's final offer. According to the commission: "He showed Dein a text message on Barnett's mobile phone purportedly from Patrick Vieira telling Cole 'not to accept less than 80k'. Agent vows to clear Cole's name "Barnett stated they could get £80-90,000 a week and that they could sell Ashley Cole for £20m. "He then gestured to his phone saying: 'Do you want me to make a phone call, this is take it or leave it time', from which Dein inferred that there was another club that was seriously interested in signing Ashley Cole." Chelsea argued during the hearing that they had no intention of signing Cole, but wanted to hear his grievances about Arsenal. But on Friday the commission dismissed Chelsea's plea of innocence. "They (chief executive Peter Kenyon and Mourinho)... explored the prospect of acquiring Cole. This amounted to an approach with a view to negotiating a contract," the commission found. In the 24-page evidence, it was stated that Blues chief executive Peter Kenyon claimed Cole had said at the meeting that Arsenal was run by its French contingent, and that his relationship with manager Arsene Wenger was not as solid as it should be. "He was concerned that the relationship with the manager was not good, that there was definitely a series of cliques and the team was primarily run by the French boys," Kenyon told the commission. "He was also concerned that he did not feel that there was a team spirit and it was clear from the outset, obviously from being on England duty with some of our boys, that he felt there appeared to be a very good team spirit at Chelsea and that was why we were doing so well."

Ljungberg gives Arsenal ultimatum
Freddie Ljungberg has said that he wants Arsenal to show greater ambition before he commits to a new deal. This is another blow to the Gunners in a week in which their full-back Ashley Cole was found guilty for his involvement in the 'tapping-up' saga. "I won't re-sign if the club's ambition does not match mine," midfielder Ljungberg, 28, told the Sunday Express. "I can't see how we can win the Champions League if we are relying on bringing in 18 and 19-year-olds." Arsene Wenger's Arsenal side stumbled again in European club football's premier tournament this season, when they fell to Bayern Munich in the last 16. They lost their Premiership crown to Chelsea without putting up much of a fight, although they did manage to pick up the FA Cup - at the expense of Manchester United. "What I'm saying is not about money - it's about ambition," added Ljungberg.

Cole fears Arsenal career is over
Arsenal defender Ashley Cole believes he may never play for the club again. Cole, 24, who on Wednesday was found guilty of approaching Chelsea and fined £100,000, blames vice-chairman David Dein for his contract dispute. "I think it's a broken bridge that is impossible to mend. I blame David Dein for trying to force me out of the club I love," he told the News of the World. "They've left me feeling there is no way back, that they don't want me to put my beloved Arsenal shirt on again." Cole added: "Can I ever forgive them? I really don't know. I've supported Arsenal since I was seven but they have hurt me. "They have let it get to this stage and they have let me down. I'm more upset than angry, I have been there a long time and they are not prepared to look after me." The left-back was particularly scathing of Gunners vice-chairman Dein. "Dein didn't show me any respect and treated me like a little kid," said Cole. "I am now convinced a section of the Arsenal board don't want me. "What else am I supposed to think when my own vice-chairman drags me through the ordeal of an official enquiry? "What else am I meant to think when he fails to deliver a new contract I was happy with and I thought - because of what he said - was in the bag?" Speaking on Thursday - after Cole had been found guilty of breaching Premier League rules - Dein underlined Arsenal's intention to keep the player at Highbury. "It is a delicate time at the moment," said Dein. "He has two years left on his contract, which we expect him to respect, and then we will try very hard to extend his contract. "He came through the youth ranks and is an Arsenal player." Cole is also unhappy with manager Arsene Wenger - who he believes could have supported him more through his contract negotiations. "I wish I'd had more support from Arsene because he is someone I respect so much," he said. "I still wouldn't sign for another Premiership club because I couldn't imagine playing against Arsenal. If necessary I will let my contract run down and leave on a free in two years." He became unhappy that the Gunners were £5,000-a-week short of his pay demands and went to a meeting with Chelsea officials to explore other options. But the Premier League found Chelsea and their manager Jose Mourinho guilty of 'tapping up' Cole and fined them a total of £500,000, as well as fining the Gunners defender. Cole's agent Jonathan Barnett has vowed to clear both their names after Cole's fine. The defender's legal representitive Graham Shear added: "At the end of the day, the truth will out and we will find what the right result is here. "I saw Ashley give evidence to the inquiry and, this is part of the reason why I was amazed at the decision of the inquiry - I don't think Ashley is capable of lying. "He sat there and gave a very, very full and honest account." Cole currently earns £25,000 per week but wanted £60,000-a-week in his new contract. Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are both rumoured to be interested in the £20m-rated left-back.

FA will continue agent inquiries
The Football Association says it will punish any agents found to have broken rules in the Premier League's report into the Ashley Cole tapping-up case. European agent Pini Zahavi and Cole's agent Jonathan Barnett were criticised but cannot be punished by the League. "We will make any further enquiries, which may be necessary. If there are breaches of agent regulations we will pursue them," said an FA spokesman." The FA could give relevant information about Zahavi to Fifa or the Israeli FA. That is because he is not registered in England. The FA has a code of conduct for all agents registered in England, which complies with Fifa guidelines, and is currently investigating whether those articles were bypassed during the Cole affair. An independent commission, which was set up by the Premier League, fined Chelsea £300,000 and handed them a suspended three-point deduction. England full-back Cole and Blues boss Jose Mourinho were also both fined for their part in an illegal meeting earlier this year.

Cole may decide to stay - Lehmann
Keeper Jens Lehmann believes that defender Ashley Cole may still yet decide to stay at Arsenal. Cole has made his disappointment clear at his treatment by Arsenal over contract negotiations and said he was left "feeling there was no way back". But Lehmann told The Times: "It would be a surprise for me if he really wants to leave. "For me, it's very unlikely. I know him and I know how satisfied he is within our dressing room." He added: "He has a very good relationship with the other players and he is really enjoying playing for Arsenal because we have a fantastic style of play, which suits him." The German international also denied the accusation by Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon of a French clique within the Gunners squad. Kenyon's remarks about the Arsenal squad came out from the evidence submitted to the FA Premier League inquiry over Chelsea's tapping-up of Cole. Kenyon said: "Cole was concerned that the relationship with the manager Arsene Wenger was not good, that there was a series of cliques and the team was primarily run by the French boys. "He was also concerned that he did not feel there was a team spirit." But Lehmann responded: "I know Ashley as a very good team player and I know in our dressing room there is a fantastic camaraderie. "The boss, not the French players, controls everything. The French players are very nice, the other players as well. "I think there is no real reason to complain about it. It should be a bit surprising if this guy, Kenyon, should know or be informed about the inside of Arsenal. "We have a couple of nationalities that fit together and you see it when we play. "We have fantastic fluency in our play and everybody's really enjoying it."

Cole launches appeal against fine
The Premier League has confirmed that Ashley Cole has launched an appeal against the £100,000 fine imposed at the independent tapping up inquiry. Arsenal defender Cole was punished, along with Chelsea and manager Jose Mourinho, for breaching league rules. Charges were brought after a meeting, held without Arsenal's knowledge, at a London hotel in January. Cole's lawyer Graham Shear hinted they would be appealing, citing restraint of trade as a possible argument. The Premier League is still waiting to hear if Chelsea will appeal against their £300,000 fine, or if Mourinho will challenge his £200,000 punishment. Cole was found in breach of Premier League rule K5, which prohibited him from approaching Chelsea with a view to negotiating a transfer, without permission from Arsenal. Chelsea were found guilty of breaking rule K3, forbidding them approaching Cole, who has two years left on his current deal, by any means while under contract. Jose Mourinho was found to be in breach of Rule Q, governing managers' conduct

Arsenal sign Imps starlet Hobbs
Arsenal have signed teenager Jack Hobbs from League Two side Lincoln City, according to reports. The Gunners have beaten Manchester United in the race to land the 16-year-old central defender. Highbury chief executive David Dein is set to authorise a six-figure payment for the Imps star. Hobbs joined Lincoln in 1997 as a nine-year-old in their academy and has progressed through the youth ranks to earn a first team squad spot this year.

Cole appeal eyes pre-season start
The Premier League could hear Ashley Cole's appeal against his £100,000 fine before the start of the new season. Cole is appealing after being punished, along with Chelsea and Jose Mourinho, at the independent tapping up inquiry. There is a 14-day deadline, from 1 June, given to register an appeal, after which a panel can be established. But a Premier League spokesman said: "It is dependent on the chairman and the timings he sets, but as yet we have not appointed a chairman." The Arsenal defender lodged the appeal earlier this week after being found to be in breach of Premier League Rule K5, which governs approaches by contracted players to clubs. Chelsea were handed a £300,000 fine and a suspended three-point deduction, while Blues manager Jose Mourinho was hit with a £200,000 penalty over a meeting, held without Arsenal's knowledge, at a London hotel in January. Cole's legal team, led by lawyer Graham Shear, are likely to focus on the existing legislation acting as restraint of trade. They have indicated their client could decide to take the case further depending on his "satisfaction, or lack of satisfaction" with the next ruling. The Court of Arbitration for Sport and the European Court of Justice are two of the longer-term options also available.

Stuttgart say no Arsenal Hleb bid
Stuttgart have dismissed reports that Arsenal have tabled an £8m bid for winger Alexander Hleb. The Bundesliga side have also inisted the 24-year-old Belarus international is not for sale. A club spokesman said: "We've seen the reports but from our standpoint, there has been no contact, we haven't had any offers or inquiries for our players. "Alexander has a contract with us until 2008 and he should be a Stuttgart player until then." Hleb, who played in his country's 0-0 draw with Scotland on 8 June, joined Stuttgart in 2000. Reports had suggested that the only complication in the Hleb deal appears to be the departure of Stuttgart coach Matthias Sammer last week. Stuttgart have not yet appointed Sammer's replacement and may decide to wait to see if the new boss would rather try to keep Hleb at the club. Belarus 0-0 Scotland The Stuttgart spokesman added: "Anybody interested in any of our players would have to make an approach to us and the player's agent."

Brady advises Cole to sign deal
Former Arsenal star and head of youth development, Liam Brady, has urged Gunner defender Ashley Cole to sign a new deal with the club. Cole feels let down by Arsenal over contract talks and has stated he is does not think there is a way back to mend broken bridges. But Brady told BBC Radio Five Live: "I think Ashley wants to stay and I'd like to see him sign that contract." "All Arsenal have offered to do is double his wages." Cole has appealed against a £100,000 fine for his role in the Chelsea 'tapping-up' saga when he met Blues manager Jose Mourinho and the Stamford Bridge club's chief executive Peter Kenyon while under contract at Arsenal. Brady added: "I think he has been badly advised. I don't think he should ever have attended that meeting."

No news yet about Hleb transfer
The agent for Stuttgart's Belarus international winger Alexander Hleb has refused to comment yet on reports the player could be on his way to Arsenal. Last week the Bundesliga side denied the Gunners had offered £8m bid for him but the 24-year-old's agent Uli Ferber hinted there may developments soon. "I can't comment for the time being, it has been agreed not to make an statement until Thursday," he said. Hleb joined the club in 2000 and played in Belarus' recent game with Scotland. Stuttgart insist that he is not for sale, and that they expect him to see out the three remaining years of his contract. But reports have suggested that the only complication in the Hleb deal appears to be the departure of Stuttgart coach Matthias Sammer last week. Stuttgart have not yet appointed Sammer's replacement and may decide to wait to see if the new boss would rather try to keep Hleb at the club. "Anybody interested in any of our players would have to make an approach to us and the player's agent," said a Stuttgart spokesman.

Van Persie makes Arsenal pledge
Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has stressed his desire to stay at the club in a long-term capacity and learn from fellow Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp. The 21-year-old signed a four-year deal at Highbury when he joined the club for £2.75m from Feyenoord last summer. "I can see myself staying at Arsenal for many years," he said. "My contract has three years to run and of course we will have to see about it. "I can learn a lot from Dennis and it is great he has signed a new contract." Van Persie scored 10 goals for the Gunners last season as he started to force his way into the first-team reckoning in the latter part of the campaign. He also played for the Dutch national team, although the one blemish on his report card was his one red card.

Worthington wants Bentley again
Norwich manager Nigel Worthington wants to bring Arsenal midfielder David Bentley back for another loan spell on their return to the Championship. The 20-year-old made 28 appearances during an injury-hit season-long loan spell at Carrow Road last season. "If there was an opportunity to bring him back here for another year then I'd love to do it," said Worthington. "I don't know what Arsenal want to do - whether they'd want him to play in the Premiership, or to go out on loan." Bentley missed part of last season with knee ligament damage, but Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said in March that he still has a future at Highbury.

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