Cole deserves Gunners abuse - Lehmann

7 december 2006, 19:10

Koen Freriks

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has told Ashley Cole he deserves any abuse he will take from Arsenal fans at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and mocked his decision to write an autobiography at such a young age.

Cole left north London for Chelsea last August in the most controversial transfer in Barclays Premiership history which initially began amid accusations of 'tapping-up' in January 2005.

"Of course Ashley should expect criticism from supporters on Sunday. He should get criticism. That is football. It makes the game exciting," he said. "If he didn't it would have meant that he wasn't an important player, but he was. He was a vital member of our squad and we enjoyed some major successes with him."