Gallas handed Arsenal armband

Defender to skipper Gunners

By Amanda Cornforth   Last updated: 9th August 2007

Gallas handed Arsenal armband

Gallas: Captain's role

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Centre back William Gallas has been officially appointed as the new Arsenal captain.

Gallas succeeds the departed Thierry Henry in the role and will be supported by Gilberto Silva and the Ivory Coast's Kolo Toure, who have been handed the joint role of vice-captain, while Jens Lehmann will have a role off the field.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told Arsenal TV online: "[The captain] will be William Gallas. There will also be two vice-captains, Kolo Toure and Gilberto.

"I feel centre-back is always the best position to lead on the pitch and it is Gallas who has more experience at the back. But Gilberto has always been a great captain and Kolo Toure has stature too.

"As well I made a decision that I want all those experienced players, along with Jens Lehmann, to be involved off the pitch.

"Players like Jens and Gilberto can play the role of a club captain. They can have a very strong impact mentailly on the team. I want them to take on that responsibility."