Wenger defends Gallas strop

Gunners boss refuses to condemn actions of his skipper

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 24th February 2008

Birmingham v Arsenal William Gallas woe

Gallas: Frustrated

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Arsene Wenger feels that William Gallas' antics at the end of their 2-2 draw with Birmingham only go to show how committed he is.

The Arsenal captain first vented his anger at team-mate Gael Clichy after the full-back had conceded a late penalty, then stamped on an advertising hoarding, before finally staging a one-man sit-down protest near the centre circle at the end of the game.

The amazing outburst did little to promote a sense of unity among the Gunners squad on a day in which they saw their lead at the top of the Premier League cut to just three points.

However, Wenger is refusing to criticise the actions of his skipper and feels that any attack on Gallas' behaviour is only being used as a means of avoiding further discussion of Martin Taylor's horror tackle on striker Eduardo which left the Croatian with a badly broken leg.

Frustrated

"He was frustrated, he is a winner and sometimes you have to get your frustrations out," said the Arsenal boss.

"People want committed people who never react and probably he should not have reacted.

"But he did because he is a winner and he was frustrated.

Unhappy

"William did not kick anyone in the whole game. It will now come out that William was crazy and Taylor gets away with it.

"Let's analyse the real problems in the game. William did not kick anyone.

"I'm not unhappy with him. I'm unhappy about what happened with the result."