Former Arsenal full-back Ashley Cole has been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame, it has been confirmed earlier on Monday.
The former England international has commented on his inclusion: “I’m honoured to join the Premier League Hall of Fame. It’s humbling and fulfilling to be rewarded at the end of your career.
“I played for some fantastic clubs with incredible fans. Winning trophies with my boyhood club Arsenal and with Chelsea are amazing memories that will always be with me.
“It’s emotional to reflect because a lot of hard work has been put in. To join the Hall of Fame alongside the likes of Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry, Didier Drogba and Rio Ferdinand, I’m privileged to be in their company.”
Arsene Wenger has praised his former player. He told the Premier League media team: "It's always difficult to make a hierarchy, but he's certainly the best [in the league].
"He's honestly one of the few players who I always say that moved on and continued to develop, and that shows remarkable intelligence and remarkable consistency in the effort."
Cole is an Arsenal academy graduate and was a part of the legendary Invincibles team. He made a controversial cross-London switch to Chelsea in 2006 and spent most of his prime years at Stamford Bridge. He retired in 2019.
The defender made 228 appearances for Arsenal, winning the Premier League twice, the FA Cup three times and reaching the Champions League final in 2006.
He made the Premier League Team of the Year four times, three times with Arsenal and once with Chelsea.
