Sven-Goran Eriksson has described him as the best left back in the world but, sadly, Ashley Cole won't be playing in England's crucial clash with Austria on Saturday. The Arsenal full back has had a stress fracture diagnosed within his right foot, and that will leave him sidelined for weeks. However, Cole still played a starring role in Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Birmingham last weekend, which lifted them back into the pack hanging on to the coat tails of runaway leaders Chelsea. Givemefootball's Ian Clarkson caught up with Cole after the game at Highbury to assess Arsenal and England's chances of success.
Q:HOW ARE THE ARSENAL FORWARDS COPING WITHOUT THIERRY HENRY?
A:If you see what a great ball that Jose Antiomo Reyes gave to Freddie Ljungerg in Ajax then it is obvious they are starting to link up well. He could have shot or carried on himself, but it was a great touch to Freddie. He put Freddie in again against Birmingham too and everyone was collected around the box. It was hard when they put ten men behind the ball. But we got the break that we needed. We were running with the ball a bit too much but now we are working more as a team.
Q:NOW YOU NEED TO CONTINUE THIS RUN TO CLOSE THE GAP ON THE TEAMS ABOVE YOU?
A:I don't think we are thinking about the other teams at the moment. We have to get our own team and squad focused on our job at hand. We have to keep going, we have had good three games, and got good results, and hopefully we can continue after the international break.
Q:IT MUST BE GOOD TO HAVE SOL CAMPBELL BACK IN THE TEAM ALONGSIDE YOU?
A:I have always been comfortable when Pascal Cygan or Phillipe Senderos has played. But any team would love Sol in the team, as he is a bit more solid and it makes every one more solid as a team. He is captain at the moment, so he has a lot on his shoulders, but he is bringing the best out his players. He was really disappointed last season with his injuries and this season with his injuries, but he is really focused now, and he is determined to play and win things with Arsenal. And it is looking good for us, as he seems to bring out the best in a lot of the team as well.
Q:WOULD YOU LIKE HIM BACK IN THE ENGLAND TEAM THIS WEEKEND?
A:Of course I would. However, it is not my job, Sven has a tough job, but hopefully he will make the right decision. I've not really thought about the clash with Austria. It will be a tough game. The lads have to go into it really focused and determined because we have to win two games. So we have to attack.
Q:WHAT DID THE PLAYERS THINK OF THE CRITICISM OF SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON AFTER THE GAME IN NORTHERN IRELAND?
A:It was nothing to do with the manager; we were the ones who were playing. Whether we play one up front or whatever we play, it is the players who play the game, it is nothing to do with the manager. Everyone is behind Sven. For us, we have to get our game back together as we are the ones who are playing the game.
Q:BACK TO THE BIRMINGHAM GAME, IT LOOKED AS THOUGH YOU WERE NEVER GOING TO SCORE?
A:Yes, but we didn't give up. After the Ajax game, we had a lot of belief as a team. We had a few chances in Amsterdam where we should have scored, and we thought we could away with a good result. It was always nice to come back here and get a good result, because after a good result against Ajax, we wanted to come here and keep the pressure on Chelsea.
Q:IS THE TEAM IMPROVING?
A:We are playing more as a team and defensively we are working more as a unit and that is the main thing in the team. If one player isn't working then it affects the whole team. But everyone is working as a team now, and we are getting amongst teams and doing well.
