Roy Keane is not having Thierry Henry's 'greatest ever' shout for one position
Manchester United and Republic of Ireland icon Roy Keane has dismissed Thierry Henry's praise for ex-Arsenal and Chelsea defender Ashley Cole as being the best left-back he's witnessed.
The Englishman carved out an illustrious tenure in north London starting from 1999, swiftly becoming a stalwart under Arsene Wenger and clinching two Premier League titles, alongside three FA Cups, contributing significantly to Arsenal's memorable 2003/04 Invincibles season.
Despite Cole's over 200 appearances for the Gunners, his legacy was tinged by his contentious transfer to Chelsea in 2006, leading Henry to lament the lack of recognition for Cole as one of European soccer's supreme left-backs, with Keane offering a contrary viewpoint.
"There is a guy that I want to talk about, who I don't understand why in this country he doesn't get his respect: Ashley Cole," Henry expressed on The Overlap's Stick to Football podcast.
"Ashley Cole was outstanding. Firstly, in 2000, Ashley went to Crystal Palace on loan, and he saved them from relegation, playing as a winger.
"When you have a left-back that can dribble past their winger, he was the one who created space for the rest of the team at Arsenal. He started everything.
"For me, Ashley Cole is the best left-back I have ever seen. Me. I'm not talking about everybody. Ashley Cole... going forward, defending, the desire, what he won and why he won it."
Henry, who shared the pitch with Cole 195 times at Arsenal, was met with a differing opinion from Keane, who remarked: "I think he was a brilliant player, but when you talk about great left-backs, he doesn't spring to my mind. Of course, he was a brilliant player."
In response to Keane, Henry defended Cole's legacy, particularly in light of his contentious transfer from Arsenal to Chelsea, asserting: "Ashley Cole is an Arsenal man.
"His whole family supports Arsenal. But I can understand why he left at the time. In 2005, David Dein shook hands on a deal, but he came back with something else.
"With Ashley moving to Chelsea, people don't give him the respect he deserves for everything that he has done. But for me, Cole was outstanding."
Dein, the former vice-chairman of Arsenal, had many triumphs during his tenure but has confessed that one of his greatest regrets was allowing Cole to leave, a decision that still resonates years after his 2007 departure from the club.
Cole was presented with a substantial salary increase by the Stamford Bridge bosses, leading to an eight-year tenure filled with success. His trophy haul with the Blues includes a league title, a Champions League, Europa League, League Cup, Community Shield and four FA Cups.
He's often mentioned in discussions about the greatest left-backs of all time, alongside soccer legends such as Roberto Carlos, Marcelo and Paolo Maldini.
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