Gallas 'no longer captain'

Frenchman not in squad to face City

Last updated: 22nd November 2008

William Gallas Arsenal 2008 West Brom

Gallas: Will not face City

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William Gallas has lost his Arsenal captaincy and will not play against Manchester City, according to Sky Sports News sources.

The move comes after Gallas spoke of unrest in the Arsenal camp on Thursday, including details of a bust-up during half-time in the recent 4-4 draw with Tottenham.

A number of former players have been quick to criticise Gallas for the outburst and it now appears as though Arsene Wenger has acted quickly to discipline the French defender.

It was initially understood that Gallas had been stripped of the captaincy, but reports later suggested that he may have offered to step down at a team meeting.

Gallas, who was handed the armband at the start of last season, will not travel with the rest of the squad ahead of Saturday's game at Man City.

The latest development raises doubts about Gallas' future with the club, just two years after he joined the Gunners from Chelsea.

Arsenal have yet to confirm the news but there is speculation that goalkeeper Manuel Almunia will lead out the side against City.

Do you think the right decision has been made? Let us know your thoughts using the form below.

Comments

Scott Whiffing says...

Does anyone really doubt that Mourinho knew exactly what he was doing when he sold Gallas? I'm disappointed that the Professor has needed this to trigger stripping him of the captaincy, Gallas is a bad influence in the dressing room and we were warned of that before we bought him!

Posted 13:18 22nd November 2008

Exa Sam (Arsenal fan) says...

This is the right decision made though it has been made so late, Gallas has never been a leader, give the armband to Fabregas He is a special figure in our team.

Posted 13:10 22nd November 2008

Steve Tong (Arsenal fan) says...

We need players at Arsenal with guts,determination, and courage, Gallas has none of these. Never mind dropping him Mr Wenger, slap him on the transfer list.

Posted 13:09 22nd November 2008

Ryan Bloomer (Arsenal fan) says...

I'm happy he's no longer captain but in all honesty the team needs him whether we like him or not. Who do Arsenal have who can actually fill his boots? Djourou is not experienced enough, and Song is a midfielder by trade. Kolo can't get in the squad for whatever reason, and Silvestre is a disaster waiting to happen. So Gallas will be back and playing regularly because he's all we've got, which brings us to the real problem. Until Arsene actually uses the money he's given every season to it's full potential Arsenal will struggle and I hate ot admit it. I'm all for bringing up the youngster, but lets face it some of them aren't good enough and never will be, Wenger needs to learn to siv away the dirt and keep hold of the gold. He has a tendancy to hold on to some of the weaker players for to long. Wenger needs to learn to cut his losses and actually start using the transfer budget and window more effectively. Especially with some leaders and experience, which is what the team lacks most. We all know it has quality. For example. If you have someone like Denilson who is 20, why not loan him out for a season or two like other top clubs around the world do? During that time buy someone like Torsten Frings, who has ability, experience, and is a good leader. By the time Frings is ready to reitre or move on Denilson will have gained his experience on loan, playing regularly, and will be a ready made replacement. Instead he's thrown in at the deep end after a season or two of carling cup football, which isn't good enough IMO. It's barely 8 games a season and most of the time it's against lower league clubs.

Posted 12:54 22nd November 2008

Allan Kirk (Arsenal fan) says...

It's the best thing that could happen to the club. How he was ever given the Captain's armband in the first place is still a mystery. Although he is injured, I believe that Toure has shown the commitment and qualities to be the new captain. He rarely has a bad game and always works hard for the team and in my opinion, gets respect from the other players.

Posted 12:02 22nd November 2008

Dennis Ricketts (Arsenal fan) says...

Hooray!! gallas should never have been given the captains armband in the first place, he is cleary no leader that any of the rest look up to, and he should never have given that No 10 shirt either.. Arsene what were you thinking??. It's time to cut our loses with him get rid.

Posted 22:35 21st November 2008

Chris Mendes (Arsenal fan) says...

Of course it is the right decision. I think there's been a few incidents now which has demonstrated his inability to captain the young Arsenal side, who's job was supposed to be to set examples - I don't remember seeing him do this once. As for the new captain, I'm not so sure about Fabregas as others have suggested - I think it's too early for him. It's possible that he takes the extra responsibility while his performance suffers as a result. I think either Almunia, or Toure (if he is to play regularly).

Posted 22:34 21st November 2008

Saol Leahy (Arsenal fan) says...

I think Wenger was right to take the captaincy from Gallas, in my opinion Gallas is not a leader and i think either Fabregas (even though he is still very young) or maybe even Almunia because he has been at Arsenal longer than most of the other players should be captain.

Posted 22:31 21st November 2008

Ernest Chibayiwa says...

This is a ridiculous decision but not surprising, football is probably one of a few sports whih are undemodratic, where players and managers are not allowed to express an opinion o desent. Gallas was obviously trying to galvanise his team but the rubbish political correctness of football does not permit him. This a sport by the way, where players are booked for celebrating a goal

Posted 22:31 21st November 2008

Alan Vaughan (Arsenal fan) says...

Arsene Wenger has got this one spot on, albeit about 7 months too late. Gallas should have been stripped of the captaincy after his tantrum at Birmingham. He should now be sold as he isn't performing well and is just a distraction. Give Djorou a chance and give fabregas the captain's arm band.

Posted 20:33 21st November 2008

Anthony Boyle (Manchester United fan) says...

I think Wenger should have done it earlier, the captain shouldn't be publicly criticizing his team. Look what happened to Roy Keane after he blasted his team, he was out of the team all together and away to Celtic. After Gallas comments last year and this year I feel that its a deserved punishment.

Posted 20:32 21st November 2008

Simon Jarvis (Arsenal fan) says...

well, it was LONG overdue, gallas is a liability! Give Cesc the armband....

Posted 20:30 21st November 2008

Adam Bates (Chelsea fan) says...

I think the correct decision has been made. William Gallas has always been a cry baby. At chelsea he cried when he was playing left back even though he played every game.. and now hes crying at arsenal for everything. Good player? Yes, Cry baby? Yes, Captain? No!!

Posted 20:29 21st November 2008

Matt O'brien (Arsenal fan) says...

Gallas has the front to say the other players aren't 'soldiers' or 'warriors' when he cried at birmingham and has done nothing but moan since he got here. Not fit to be captain, not fit to play for arsenal, and not worth a second look.

Posted 20:28 21st November 2008

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