Ashley Cole believes Arsenal were "falling apart" by the time he left the club in 2006 after a number of high-profile player departures.
The Gunners had enjoyed a glittering start to the century, winning the FA Cup three times and the Premier League twice - including the 'Invincibles' season of 2003/04.
But as Cole emerged as one of the best left-backs in Europe, many key Arsenal players were coming to the end of their careers or were sold to rival clubs.
Gunners captain Tony Adams retired in 2002, while No.1 goalkeeper David Seaman left in 2003, Martin Keown left in 2004 and Patrick Vieira joined Juventus in 2005.
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