Joe Cole apologises to Arsenal fans live on TV as ex-Chelsea star makes U-turn on controversial take
CHELSEA legend Joe Cole apologised to Arsenal supporters on live TV ahead of today’s win over Bournemouth.
The Gunners restored their four-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 victory.
Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice all got on the scoresheet to pile the pressure on second-placed Man City ahead of their 5:30pm clash with Wolves.
Arsenal, who blew a lengthy lead at the top last season, are chasing a first title triumph since 2004.
However, after they beat Chelsea 5-0 on April 23, Cole claimed that the team’s post-match celebrations at the Emirates were “a bit too much”.
But he had a huge change of tune today as he returned to North London to work as a pundit again on TNT Sports.
And after a stern talking to from his fellow pundit and Arsenal’s legendary former defender Martin Keown, he took his opportunity to say sorry in front of the cameras.
Ex-England international Cole said: “I didn’t realise. I’ve got to apologise.
“Martin gave me a bit of stick when they came and beat Chelsea, and I was a bit sore. That’s not me.
“I don’t want to be The Grinch. I was hearing fireworks, Arsenal fans celebrating, and I don’t want to be that guy that stops the party.
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“So bring your fireworks, bring your party poppers, enjoy it, take selfies, celebrate as much as you want. I’m sorry.”
He was then asked by host Lynsey Hipgrave if that apology meant that he was “resigning from the celebration police”, Cole replied laughing: “Yeah!”
Cole had initially said after the London derby win last month: “I heard fireworks from the Arsenal fans.
“I think [celebrations] are a bit early with five games to go. It’s a bit too much.”
Following the win over the Cherries, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said: “With what is at stake and the stage of the season we are in, to perform the way we have done today, especially in the first half, I thought it was one of the best that we played all season.
“It was really positive, a lot of energy, players making decisions to impact the game and make things happen – I loved it.
“We were very unlucky not to score four or five, and then when you don’t do that, you have to navigate for certain difficult moments, and we did.
“Obviously we have to be more ruthless in front of goal, with a lot of chances and situations we generated. The scoreline should have been very, very different.
“Sometimes when you don’t finish the game, it can get a bit different and the momentum of the game can shift, and you have to be prepared for that and I think the team did really well to handle it.
“I think the moment is driven by energy, enthusiasm and finding joy in this journey, and being in the title race at this stage of the season. We have to continue to do the same.”
Meet the Arsenal Wags from Strictly star to a flight attendant
Tomali Benson – partner of Bukayo Saka
Benson and Saka have kept information on their relationship largely quiet.
They do not appear on each others Instagram pages but she was seen speaking to Saka at the 2022 World Cup.
Helene Spilling – partner of Martin Odegaard
A professional dancer from Norway who rose to fame in the country’s version of Strictly Come Dancing, the pair were first spotted together at the Football Awards in March 2023.
Sophie Weber – partner of Kai Havertz
Weber works as a model and social media influencer and is the most high profile member of the group on online with almost 400,000 followers on Instagram.
They are childhood sweethearts having grown up in the same neighbourhood.
Milly White – partner of Ben White
The couple got engaged in 2022 before tying the knot officially in May last year. They have matching “I love you tattoos” on their wrists. Milly White works as a model.
Laura Trossard Hilven – partner of Leandro Trossard
The pair met in 2014 before getting married in 2019.
They have two sons together, Thiago and Amadeo.
Lauren Fryer – partner of Declan Rice
Lauren Fryer and Declan Rice have been together since 2015. She tends to keep a lower profile compared to some of Arsenal’s other Wags but is no less stunning.
She sadly deleted all pictures on her Instagram after suffering horrific abuse by vile trolls.
Georgina Ramsdale – partner of Aaron Ramsdale
Georgina Ramsdale works as a flight attendant.
The couple got married last June after the Arsenal star proposed in 2022. They originally met in 2019.