ASHLEY COLE reveals for the first time today the full extent of his dramatic fallout with Arsenal and the reasons behind his controversial move to Chelsea.

In the first of three explosive extracts from his new book, My Defence, serialised exclusively in The Times, the Chelsea defender gives the inside story of one of the most acrimonious transfers of recent times, detailing his deteriorating relationship with the club he joined as a teenager and has supported all his life, from the initial row over a new contract 18 months ago until his last-minute move across London on August 31.

In a hard-hitting attack on his old club, Cole outlines his sense of betrayal, accusing Arsenal of forcing him out, doing “jack-shit” to keep him but ultimately attempting to sabotage his move by playing hard-ball with Chelsea. It is an indication of his sense of isolation last season that he believed many at the club felt he was feigning injury in order to save himself for the World Cup finals after Tony Colbert, one of the club’s fitness coaches, made such an allegation.

“I feel betrayed and let down by a club I’ve given my heart and soul to,” Cole writes. “For me it was one more person at the club doubting my loyalty. And it was the final straw. I’d had a vice-chairman and board who had thrown my loyalty back in my face, fans who’d questioned my faith for a year, a dressing-room I didn’t recognise any more and now someone seemingly doubting my professionalism. My love for Arsenal was soured by what I see as neglect and resentment.”

Much of Cole’s animosity is directed towards David Dein, Arsenal’s vice-chairman whom he has known since he was a boy. The 25-year-old left back describes a series of confrontations with Dein in which he swore at him after being dropped for a Barclays Premiership match away to Bolton Wanderers and accused him of “taking the piss” by demanding a £30 million fee from Chelsea.

“I’ll shake Mr Dein’s hand if he reaches out to shake mine, but our days of friendly conversation are over,” Cole says. “Given the choice between saying ten words or one to him, I’ll go for the one.”

Cole contrasts his treatment with that of Thierry Henry, who turned down the opportunity to join Barcelona last summer in order to sign a new four-year contract at Arsenal. “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,” Cole says.

“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 jack-shit all season to hold on to me.”

Cole’s resentment increased still further in recent weeks, when he feared he would be held to the two remaining years on his contract. Even his relationship with Arsène Wenger was suffering towards the end, with Cole forming the impression that his former manager was glad to see the back of him.

“It felt to me that Arsenal had done nothing to keep me last season, and now it seemed obstacles were piling up at the exit door,” Cole says. “I felt like a bargaining chip with the stakes too high. Their behaviour puzzled me. It felt like Arsenal were toying with Chelsea, toying with my future.

“At one stage in mid-August I thought I’d have to walk back across a broken bridge and stay at Arsenal. The thought depressed me, and it probably didn’t do much for the boss (Wenger) either. I sensed he was sick and tired of the speculation.”