Cole wants City to nudge Gunners out of top four

Ashley Cole has incensed Arsenal by saying he wants big spending Manchester City to knock his old club out of the top four.

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Ashley Cole in action on Chelsea's pre-season tour of the US.

The Chelsea defender thinks City's huge spending spreee this summer means they can mount a serious challenge to make the Champions League next season.

And he would rather Mark Hughes' men qualified for Europe's money-spinning competition than his former side.

"I think it's going to be hard for them but they could do. They may gel, click, straight away and it's magic. But we can't really say until we see them play. I hope they do it. I have friends there and I hope they do really well - and that they finish above Arsenal.

"I think the players they are buying are good. Obviously they have got Gareth Barry, who I know from England and he's a good player. They've got Stephen Ireland, Wrighty (Shaun Wright-Phillips), Robinho, Adebayor, Tevez. They are all good players.

Cole has been persona non grata at the Emirates ever since his controversial move across the capital to join Chelsea back in 2006.

He said he was made a "scapegoat" by Arsenal's board in his autobiography, and incensed fans further by saying he nearly crashed his car after baulking at a contract offer worth over £55,000 a week.

Cole says while his team-mates may be desperate to win the Champions League after a string of near misses, he is more focused on winning the Premier League title.

"It's a tough old season in the Premier League and it's only getting harder," he said. "So to win that, you are true champions. Sometimes in the Champions League I don't think it's always the best team that wins it. It depends on how you play on a certain day.

"In the league you have to play well week-in, week-out. Man Utd won it last year and they were worthy champions and we just have to take it.

"For some players they might want to win the Champions League but for me winning the Premier League again is my main aim for the season," he said. "Of course it would be nice to go to another Champions League final and hopefully win it again one day but for me the Premier League is the best trophy to have."

Cole says he is warming to new manager Carlo Ancelotti, who led Chelsea to a comfortable 2-0 win over Inter Milan on the club's tour of the United States earlier in the week.

"We've just changed managers so it's going to take time to assess the different qualities of both of them but hopefully we can win something with the new manager," Cole said.

"He (Ancelotti) is a good guy. He's trying to learn English a lot and he's getting on very well with the players and staff. He's brought in a few new ideas and hopefully we can put them into our play. We are starting to understanding the way he wants us to play now. It takes time."