image: tsn.ca

Arsenal have left Ashley Cole out of the travelling squad for their Champions League third qualifying round tie against Dinamo Zagreb. He's officially been excluded for "fitness reasons," but that vagueness suggests they can't even be bothered to lie properly.

The real reason is that Arsenal don't want to scupper his transfer to Chelsea by removing his Champions League eligibility. Why couldn't all concerned just be honest? Cole's move to Chelsea is hardly a secret and there's no shame in keeping him away from European football if it benefits all three parties.

When this transfer finally happens it will be one of the most undignified, ungraceful moves in a while. With the "tapping up", the autobiography and now this half-hearted lie I wish they'd just hurry up and get it over with.