Arsenal legend Ian Wright insists Chelsea star Ashley Cole doesn't deserve the criticism coming his way.

Wright wrote in The Sun: "Ashley Cole is one of England's most decorated footballers.

"We have produced very few world-class stars over the last few years but Ashley is definitely one of them.

"So it makes me extremely sad that he is hated by so many people.

"Ashley has not helped himself, I'll admit that. He has a habit of saying the wrong thing at completely the wrong time and his latest comments on Twitter were misguided and downright stupid.

"To cap his week from hell, he was also slagged off by his ex-missus who, unfortunately for him, is a national treasure.

"I know I'm in the minority, and that you will probably disagree with me, but I feel sorry for him.

"I've known him since he was 17 - most of the people who dislike Ashley have never actually met him.

"In football, I have met some unsavoury characters, as we all do in life, but Ashley is not one of them."