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Ashley Cole Reveals He 'Hopes' Chelsea Qualify For The Champions League But Not Arsenal

Ashley Cole Reveals He 'Hopes' Chelsea Qualify For The Champions League But Not Arsenal

The former Chelsea and Arsenal left back had to be pushed into saying he wanted Arsenal to also qualify for the Champions League.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Ashley Cole had to be coerced into saying he hopes Arsenal qualify for the Champions League, after saying he wanted Chelsea to finish in the top four.

The former England left-back might have started his career in the Arsenal academy, before going on to make 228 appearances in north London and winning two Premier League titles, but there's no doubt where his allegiances lie.

Cole was a pundit on Sky Sports on Saturday night as the Gunners beat Wolves, to end their rivals excellent run of form, and was talking about the fight for the Champions League places.

Speaking about Arsenal's chances Cole said, "I think when it's coming to the top four, I think it's tough. I couldn't put my money on who is going to finish in the top four, it's probably out of the top seven.

"If you're saying Arsenal are there, then why can't you say Sheffield United are there?

"For me I think it is too hard to pick, I just hope Chelsea make it," presenter Kelly Cates then asked "And Arsenal?" with the 39-year-old replying "And Arsenal."

Fellow pundit Jamie Redknapp laughed in response saying, "You don't mean that," to which Cole just smiled and didn't answer.

In fairness to the former Roma full-back he is now academy coach at Stamford Bridge, having followed Frank Lampard from Derby, so it's understandable where his support lies.

Things also didn't end well for Cole when he left Arsenal, after claiming he 'nearly crashed his car' when the Gunners offered him a new deal in 2006, before his move to Stamford Bridge that year.

Chelsea have been in the top four for much of the season and are currently fourth but their recent loss to West Ham does put their chances of finishing there in some doubt.

They're only one point behind Leicester City in third but only three points clear of Manchester United behind them in fifth, with Wolves a further three points behind and Arsenal another three.

Fifth place may be enough for those teams to qualify for Europe's top club competition next season as Manchester City await their appeal against the two year ban UEFA have imposed for breaking Financial Fair Play rules.

Pep Guardiola's side are expected to find out early this month whether they've been successful at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Who do you think will qualify for the Champions League? Let us know in the comments.

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Topics: Football News, Leicester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Sheffield United, Sky Sports, Arsenal, Champions League, Wolves, Ashley Cole