Wenger says he has not asked Cole directly about the meeting with Chelsea and is convinced of his commitment to Arsenal. Now he wants him to demonstrate that by putting pen to paper on a new deal. Wenger said: "I am 100 per cent sure that Ashley Cole will extend his contract as he is part of the bunch of players who are the core and heart of the team. Ashley said he is fed up with the story, he is completely committed to the club and he doesn't want to know about it. We are not far away from a deal with him and I feel he will be under pressure from the other players to stay here."
Wenger insisted that Cole will start tonight's Premiership meeting with Manchester United.
He added: "If he had said to me that he didn't feel he could play, then no, I wouldn't have picked him. But I know his strength of character. I think you will see a great game from him."
Arsenal are today considering whether to make a formal complaint to the Premier League.
Wenger added: "Before we complain, we must have evidence the meeting has happened.
"It looks to me like, yes, it has happened, although I don't know [for sure].
"Ashley wouldn't lie to me. But if you asked anybody who was in this meeting if it happened, nobody would say 'yes I was there'."
