Cole makes himself available for Arsenal team

Arsenal defender Ashley Cole, who has been linked with champions Chelsea, said on Friday he was available to play for Arsene Wenger's side in their Premier League opener at home against Aston Villa on Saturday.

"I have made myself available for selection this weekend and it is now up to the manager whether he decides to play me," the England World Cup left back said.

"I maintain I have no problem with the fans and the manager. They have both been very supportive of me throughout my career," the 25-year-old said in a statement released on the Web site stellargroup.co.uk..

"In particular I hope the fans understand where my grievances lie," added Cole.

Wenger had been quoted on the Arsenal web site as saying Cole, the subject of a reported 16.5 million pound ($31 million) offer from Chelsea, would probably not play on Saturday.

"I don't think he will [be in] for the game at the weekend," Wenger said.

SOURED RELATIONSHIP

The

relationship of Cole, a product of Arsenal's youth scheme, with the north London club soured more than a year ago when he was fined for meeting Chelsea officials including manager Jose Mourinho without his club's knowledge.

Cole, who helped Arsenal reach the Champions League final in May, has criticised the club for making him a scapegoat over the tapping-up.

Wenger, who left Cole out of the Arsenal side for the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying round tie against Dynamo Zagreb, said at the beginning of the week he wanted the matter of Chelsea's interest settled by this weekend.

A week ago, Chelsea appeared to have lost all hope of signing Cole for this season, releasing a statement in which they said: "Although discussions have continued, Arsenal's valuation of the player does not match Chelsea's and therefore no agreement can be reached in the current circumstances."