Henry Favouritism Central to Cole Departure

In the first published extracts from his new autobiography, Ashley Cole has claimed that favouritism shown to Thierry Henry was central to his desire to leave Arsenal.

Towards the end of last season it appeared that both players might be on their way out as Cole continued his stand-off with the club's directors and Henry dallied over signing a contract extension. But while captain Henry was eventually persuaded to stay, Cole says he felt like the "invisible man" as he was snubbed by officials and fans.

In today's serialisation, Cole touches on his previous claim that the dispute began over Arsenal's decision to drop £5,000 from their original salary offer, and says he was upset when backroom staff questioned his loyalty. But he insists the difference in how he was treated compared to Henry was crucial.

"The club made Thierry feel wanted and special, wooing him, wining and dining him, speaking in public about how much they want him to stay, going on a deliberate charm offensive," he said. "But me? I didn't have one dinner, one meeting or one phone call from anyone. That's not sour grapes, it's just a sad truth. The truth is that the Gunners had done nothing all season to hold on to me.

"My worst fears were confirmed when, as Thierry and I sat in the centre circle after the final whistle, his name was sung from the rooftops while my contribution was recognised by a deafening silence. As his chants faded away we waited for mine. And we waited. And there was nothing. 'They're not bothered about me', I said, resigned to the fact. It was like I was the invisible man."

Cole was offered a new £60,000-a-week deal in 2004 but when negotiations opened, the figure offered had been cut to £55,000, with the defender adding: "At a board meeting held two days before our 1-0 away defeat at Bolton in January, it was decided the maximum offer should be £55,000 a week. I don't believe the board gave a damn about keeping me. It preferred to haggle over a difference of £5,000."

Cole's relationship with the club deteriorated to the point of fitness coach Tony Colbert questioning whether he was telling the truth about a thigh injury. He added: "That's when he said it, 'what do you expect me to do, Ash, when you tell me you're OK and then come in here like you've just been shot? Be honest with me, are you just making out that it's worse than it actually is because you've got an eye on the World Cup?'

"That was it. I blew my lid. 'What!' I shouted, barely able to keep a lid on it, 'I need to play for Arsenal to go to the World Cup, so why would I hold back? The more I hold back, the less chance I've got of going to Germany! And you are insulting me'. For me it was one more person at the club doubting my loyalty. And it was the final straw."