Ex-Chelsea star Joe Cole in grovelling apology to Arsenal fans live on TV

CHELSEA legend Joe Cole apologised to Arsenal supporters on live TV ahead of today’s win over Bournemouth.

The Gunners restored their four-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 victory.

Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice all got on the scoresheet to pile the pressure on second-placed Man City ahead of their 5:30pm clash with Wolves.

Arsenal, who blew a lengthy lead at the top last season, are chasing a first title triumph since 2004.

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However, after they beat Chelsea 5-0 on April 23, Cole claimed that the team’s post-match celebrations at the Emirates were “a bit too much”.

But he had a huge change of tune today as he returned to North London to work as a pundit again on TNT Sports.

And after a stern talking to from his fellow pundit and Arsenal’s legendary former defender Martin Keown, he took his opportunity to say sorry in front of the cameras.

Ex-England international Cole said: “I didn't realise. I've got to apologise.

“Martin gave me a bit of stick when they came and beat Chelsea, and I was a bit sore. That's not me.

“I don't want to be The Grinch. I was hearing fireworks, Arsenal fans celebrating, and I don't want to be that guy that stops the party.

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“So bring your fireworks, bring your party poppers, enjoy it, take selfies, celebrate as much as you want. I'm sorry.”

He was then asked by host Lynsey Hipgrave if that apology meant that he was “resigning from the celebration police”, Cole replied laughing: “Yeah!”

Cole had initially said after the London derby win last month: “I heard fireworks from the Arsenal fans.

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“I think [celebrations] are a bit early with five games to go. It’s a bit too much.”

Following the win over the Cherries, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said: “With what is at stake and the stage of the season we are in, to perform the way we have done today, especially in the first half, I thought it was one of the best that we played all season.

“It was really positive, a lot of energy, players making decisions to impact the game and make things happen - I loved it.

“We were very unlucky not to score four or five, and then when you don’t do that, you have to navigate for certain difficult moments, and we did.

“Obviously we have to be more ruthless in front of goal, with a lot of chances and situations we generated. The scoreline should have been very, very different.

“Sometimes when you don’t finish the game, it can get a bit different and the momentum of the game can shift, and you have to be prepared for that and I think the team did really well to handle it.

“I think the moment is driven by energy, enthusiasm and finding joy in this journey, and being in the title race at this stage of the season. We have to continue to do the same.”