Éx-Chelsea star fingers problematic ownership policy that caused Arsenal defeat

Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has criticised the club hierarchy following their 2-1 Premier League defeat to Arsenal.

​He condemned the sporting directorate's ongoing policy of selling elite talent after Kai Havertz orchestrated Sunday's victory at the Emirates Stadium.

​The Germany international directly impacted the September 6 derby result, scoring a 25th-minute equaliser against his former employers.

​Morgan Rogers had initially given Chelsea the lead after just two minutes before Havertz and a 50th-minute Martin Ødegaard strike secured the 2-1 comeback win for Arsenal.

​Speaking after the game, Cole expressed frustration with the board's decision-makers for authorising the transfers of talented players.

​"I think if you’ve got Kai Havertz at your club you’re watching him every day, week in, week out," Cole stated.

​"Coaches and managers come and go, but the Directors of Football? Look at the amount of money on centre-forwards the club has spent since they [let] him go out the door."

​Cole argued that the current executives are repeating historical errors at the club,  specifically referencing the previous departure of Kevin De Bruyne.

​De Bruyne left Stamford Bridge in 2014 before eventually returning to the Premier League with Manchester City, where he developed into a generational midfield talent.

The board recently executed a similarly controversial transaction, sanctioning Enzo Fernandez's £125 million deadline-day move to reigning champions Manchester City on September 1.

​Cole contrasted the strategy with the policies implemented by legendary managers Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger.

​"It’s just not good enough; I think it’s got to stop happening," Cole concluded.

​"It happened with Kevin De Bruyne [leaving]; it happened with Kai Havertz. Those kind of deals never happened at Manchester United with Sir Alex Ferguson, or with Arsene Wenger at Arsenal."

​He added: "When did you hear of them letting go of a player who went on to become world class at one of your rivals?"