Thierry Henry Admits Losing Cole

Even if he agreed that Ashley Cole's move to rivals Chelsea will be a serious blow for the team before the next season, Thierry Henry had to face reality yesterday. The English full-back is more than likely to leave the gunners and, despite of Arsenal rejecting Chelsea's latest bid, Henry is convinced Cole is going to be his opponent in the Premiership.

"I am trying to persuade Ashley to stay, but we are all human beings and he knows what he is doing. He is still here at the moment but sometimes you have to accept it. He is a top man. In training, he gives 100 per cent, whatever the situation is at the moment. If he goes, the only thing I can say is I wish him good luck but we have to move on", admitted the Frenchman.

The best footballer in Premier League for the last 3 years agreed that Chelsea will strengthen their defense system with Cole on Stanford Bridge and stated that the English defender will always be one of his closest friends.

"Seeing him going there is kind of strange but after that, if he goes there, I will still speak to him, I will still phone him, I will still have a laugh with him", said Henry. Still, the striker could not help from feeling nostalgic, after seeing some of Arsenal's top players leave the club in the past year.

"Dennis, Sol, Robert, have left and the years before people have left so in every way, it is a new beginning. But when the season starts, it starts and whoever is in the squad or not, we are going to have to do what we can do and be a successful team again", said Henry.

Arsenal began the 2006/07 season with a wonderful away win over Dinamo Zagreb, on Tuesday. The gunners beat the Croatians 3-0 (Fabregas 2, Van Persie) and 99 % qualified for the Champions League group stages.