Arsenal captain Thierry Henry spoke out publicly for the first time about the likely exit of left back Ashley Cole, saying it would be a “massive” blow if the England international were to trade Ashburton Grove for Stamford Bridge. ‘I don’t know anything about the situation with Chelsea but if he goes there it will look like we are trying to catch a team as well as giving them one of our best assets,” he said. “It would be difficult to take.” It would be a big preseason loss for Arsenal for the second year running, after Patrick Vieira left the club for Juventus prior to the start of last season. Henry was quick to add that he has no insider information about the deal: “Let me make it clear – I don’t know what is happening with Ashley Cole, but the fact remains that if Ashley goes, we would be losing one of the team’s best assets for the second year running,” the Gunner’s captain said. ‘The loss of Vieira was massive – like it would be if Ashley goes. Obviously we would want him to stay. He is one of the best left-backs in the world. We would miss him badly.”