Arsenal's promising young left-back Ashley Cole scored the game-winning goal in England Under21s' 6-1 thrashing of Georgia at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium.

Cole brought the ball from midfield, played an intricate one-two with West Ham namesake Joe in the 'D' of the penalty area, and smashed it home to put England 2-1 up... a lead they never lost.

Arseweb understands from Crystal Palace fans, who had Cole on loan last season, that he's 'pure class' and a definite England international. They were most keen to make his loan a permanent move, and made a few bids - as high as £2m, but still couldn't prise him out of Wenger's clutches.

In fact, according to a source who claims to have it 'straight from the horse's mouth', Palace may be planning another bid, if Cole doesn't get into the first team at Highbury by the New Year.