Ashley Cole was previously touted as one of the greatest players in his own right ever to emerge from the English footballing circuit. Moving up from Arsenal's academy, Cole was always backed to captain the Emirates Stadium-based outfit.

However, a contract dispute with the Gunners forced Cole to seek refuge elsewhere, which interestingly happened to be their neighbouring&nbsp;rivals, Chelsea.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/erling-haaland-makes-history-with-goal-against-wolves-jack-grealish-scores-quickest-goal-of-the-season-517154" hreflang="en">Erling Haaland makes history with goal against Wolves, Jack Grealish scores quickest goal of the season</a>

During a recent interaction with talkSPORT, former Arsenal chief David Dein offered fans some insight into the situation before admitting that he regretted the way things turned out with cole and issuing an apology for the same.

"We should never have lost him in my opinion," he told&nbsp;<a href="https://tinyurl.com/mr3yzsvc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">talkSPORT</a>&nbsp;of Cole. "His contract came up for re-negotiation and we didn't offer him the right sort of money, meanwhile, Chelsea did..."

"That was the end of that and it really was a great shame because Ashley was home-grown, an Arsenal boy, and I regret that we didn't do enough at the time to keep him at the club.

"It was also at a time where we were talking about building the stadium and finances, so tensions were raging about how we were going to finance the stadium and we were watching every penny.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-nathan-collins-sent-off-for-horrific-challenge-on-jack-grealish-during-man-citys-clash-against-wolves-517168" hreflang="en">WATCH: Nathan Collins sent off for horrific challenge on Jack Grealish during Man City's clash against Wolves</a>

"We didn't go enough to keep him, and I regret that with hindsight. Ashley, if you're listening, I'm sorry," asserted Dein.

Cole, while describing his exit from Arsenal in his book,&nbsp;had previously admitted that he had been fed to the sharks by the very club that he had served so loyally from his boyhood days.&nbsp;

Ashley Cole was previously touted as one of the greatest players in his own right ever to emerge from the English footballing circuit. Moving up from Arsenal's academy, Cole was always backed to captain the Emirates Stadium-based outfit.

Ashley Cole was previously touted as one of the greatest players in his own right ever to emerge from the English footballing circuit. Moving up from Arsenal's academy, Cole was always backed to captain the Emirates Stadium-based outfit. However, a contract dispute with the Gunners forced Cole to seek refuge elsewhere, which interestingly happened to be their neighbouring rivals, Chelsea. ALSO READ: Erling Haaland makes history with goal against Wolves, Jack Grealish scores quickest goal of the season During a recent interaction with talkSPORT, former Arsenal chief David Dein offered fans some insight into the situation before admitting that he regretted the way things turned out with cole and issuing an apology for the same. "We should never have lost him in my opinion," he told talkSPORT of Cole. "His contract came up for re-negotiation and we didn't offer him the right sort of money, meanwhile, Chelsea did..." "That was the end of that and it really was a great shame because Ashley was home-grown, an Arsenal boy, and I regret that we didn't do enough at the time to keep him at the club. "It was also at a time where we were talking about building the stadium and finances, so tensions were raging about how we were going to finance the stadium and we were watching every penny. ALSO READ: WATCH: Nathan Collins sent off for horrific challenge on Jack Grealish during Man City's clash against Wolves "We didn't go enough to keep him, and I regret that with hindsight. Ashley, if you're listening, I'm sorry," asserted Dein. Cole, while describing his exit from Arsenal in his book, had previously admitted that he had been fed to the sharks by the very club that he had served so loyally from his boyhood days.

'I regret that'- Former Arsenal chief issues apology to Ashley Cole for his controversial move to Chelsea

Former England, Arsenal and Chelsea defender Ashley Cole, one of the most decorated players in English domestic football, announced his retirement from the game on Sunday, bringing an end to a colourful 20-year career.

The 38-year-old, who also had spells at AS Roma in Italy's Serie A and LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer, last represented Championship (second-tier) outfit Derby County before his contract expired at the end of last season.

The left back won three Premier League titles, seven FA Cups and a League Cup during his career. He also won the Champions League and UEFA Cup once each while at Chelsea.

Cole often found himself in the news over the years over his private life, including his marriage to singer and television personality Cheryl Cole.

"After hard consideration, it's time to hang my boots up and look towards my next chapter, which will hopefully be coaching," Cole, who was also capped 107 times by England, told Sky Sports.

"As a young kid, I never expected to play one game or be a professional. Looking back, to be able to say I played in World Cups, Champions League finals, being lucky enough to lift Premier League titles - it's a young kid's dream.

"I fulfilled my dream. Now I look to the future, hopefully as a great coach."

Cole won two league titles with boyhood club Arsenal after making his debut in 1999 and was part of their "Invincibles" team that went unbeaten throughout the 2003-04 campaign.

He joined London rivals Chelsea in 2006 and continued to stamp his authority as one of the best defenders in England, going on to lift more titles at Stamford Bridge.

His four FA Cups with Chelsea took his personal tally to seven, making him the most successful player in the competition's history.

After leaving Chelsea in 2014, he played in Italy and the United States before working under former team mate and current Chelsea boss at Derby, helping them to the playoff final which they lost to Aston Villa.

Former England, Arsenal and Chelsea defender Ashley Cole, one of the most decorated players in English domestic football, announced his retirement from the game on Sunday, bringing an end to a colourful 20-year career.

Former England, Arsenal and Chelsea defender Ashley Cole, one of the most decorated players in English domestic football, announced his retirement from the game on Sunday, bringing an end to a colourful 20-year career. The 38-year-old, who also had spells at AS Roma in Italy's Serie A and LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer, last represented Championship (second-tier) outfit Derby County before his contract expired at the end of last season. The left back won three Premier League titles, seven FA Cups and a League Cup during his career. He also won the Champions League and UEFA Cup once each while at Chelsea. Cole often found himself in the news over the years over his private life, including his marriage to singer and television personality Cheryl Cole. "After hard consideration, it's time to hang my boots up and look towards my next chapter, which will hopefully be coaching," Cole, who was also capped 107 times by England, told Sky Sports. "As a young kid, I never expected to play one game or be a professional. Looking back, to be able to say I played in World Cups, Champions League finals, being lucky enough to lift Premier League titles - it's a young kid's dream. "I fulfilled my dream. Now I look to the future, hopefully as a great coach." Cole won two league titles with boyhood club Arsenal after making his debut in 1999 and was part of their "Invincibles" team that went unbeaten throughout the 2003-04 campaign. He joined London rivals Chelsea in 2006 and continued to stamp his authority as one of the best defenders in England, going on to lift more titles at Stamford Bridge. His four FA Cups with Chelsea took his personal tally to seven, making him the most successful player in the competition's history. After leaving Chelsea in 2014, he played in Italy and the United States before working under former team mate and current Chelsea boss at Derby, helping them to the playoff final which they lost to Aston Villa.

Former England defender Ashley Cole calls time on 20-year career

ashley-cole

Ashley Cole, News on Ashley Cole, stories on Ashley Cole, articles on Ashley Cole, Ashley Cole stories at Wion, Ashley Cole news, Ashley Cole latest news

ashley cole

'I regret that'- Former Arsenal chief issues apology to Ashley Cole for his controversial move to Chelsea

Former England defender Ashley Cole calls time on 20-year career