Vieira voices Gallas fears

Frenchman hopes compatriot remains as Arsenal captain

By James Dall   Last updated: 15th May 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Vieira voices Gallas fears

Vieira and Gallas: The Inter star is backing his friend to remain Arsenal skipper

I think it has been difficult for him. I have been talking to him and he has been hurt by the criticism he has received.

Vieira on Gallas
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Patrick Vieira fears that William Gallas may suffer psychologically if he is relieved of the captain's armband at Arsenal.

The former Chelsea defender was handed the role this season in the wake of Thierry Henry's departure for Barcelona last summer.

The early effect of Gallas' leadership skills were initially hailed as The Gunners enjoyed a blistering start to the 2007/08 campaign.

However, an extraordinary act of public emotion from the Frenchman against Birmingham City in February was followed by a torrid run of form which saw Arsenal's season crumble around them.

Difficult

It has since been claimed that manager Arsene Wenger may relieve Gallas of his duties; but Vieira believes the decision could result in the undoing of his compatriot and, in turn, the Arsenal squad.

"I think it has been difficult for him. I have been talking to him and he has been hurt by the criticism he has received," former Gunner Vieira said at an event run by Ford's Feel Football debate website www.feelfootball.com.

"Of course, he had a difficult moment. He is a really strong player who is committed to the club. He wants to prove that he deserves to be Arsenal captain, I know he wants to be a successful captain at Arsenal, and he will do everything he can.

"He is a really emotional person sometimes. He expresses his feelings and that is why he is so popular on the French national team.

"I hope he stays as captain. I think he is a leader of the team. He has experience. I think he has the full support of the players.

Henry

"It would have a bad effect on him (if he lost the captaincy) and everybody else in the team as well. If you had the captaincy taken off you after a year it would be difficult psychologically to start the next season not as captain.

"He might think about what he did wrong and think that he lost the manager and the players' trust. It would be a big blow for him and for the club and players."

Meanwhile, Vieira also reiterated former Arsenal team-mate Henry's desire to succeed in Primera Division after it had been suggested that he could leave Barca following a frustrating debut term at Camp Nou.

"I spoke to him and he said that he was really happy at Barcelona, and while it was a difficult first year, he is really happy there," Vieira concluded.

Comments (7)

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Eric Sachs (Arsenal fan) says...

I am an AFC season ticket holder so watch nearly all the games. Gallas is far too introspective to be a captain, this has showed on many occasions with the well known caption of him at Birmingham. When the heads are down you need visible inspiration, a Tony Adams, a Patric Vierra a Frank Mclintock not someone cowering like a little lamb on the centre circle, he never recovered from this and personally I would give it to Toure or Fabregas who will rouse the team.

Posted 10:37 15th May 2008

Dominick Colasanto (Arsenal fan) says...

I think people should lay off Gallas, what happened @ birmingham was months ago & was a one-off & as an arsenal man I believe he was right to show his frustration. It shows how much he cares about the team & the injustice we suffered, id be more disapointed if he trudged off that pitch with his head hanging low. Theres nothing wrong with venting out your frustration, it wasnt as bad as the tackle thats probably ended Eduardo's career but we dont hear about that do we. This is a free country after all & as usual, the british press make more of a situation than it actually is.

Posted 10:35 15th May 2008

Raj Singh (Arsenal fan) says...

I agree with Paddy about the psychological effect this would have on Gallas himself, though hate to disagree with him on the effect it will have on the team. I personally think the team would not mind who captains them.. they will go about their business who ever the captain maybe. Gallas would be the effected one. Evidence of that is probably Gilberto who captained us last season. This season he hasn't been the same player and was evidently disappointed at not being captain. Though having said that, if Gallas is stripped of the captaincy, he should take Gilberto as an example of how to be professional and how to try and fight for your team no matter what. After all Arsene is the manager and his decision should be in the teams best interest not just to keep Gallas happy. Gilberto respected that and has been praised.. Gallas should follow his lead! (so in all of this whose the real leader..!?)

Posted 09:51 15th May 2008

Misheck Vwemu (Arsenal fan) says...

I strongly believe Gallas has been superb and fantastic captain for Arsenal through out the season. The team made good progress and has ended the season in good form. I would be grossly unfair to push blame on one man especially by overshadowing all the great contributions he made through out the season. Let Gallas lead the team in the next compaign. There is nobody who is too good

Posted 09:38 15th May 2008

A Clarke (Manchester United fan) says...

Please, come on. Gallas is a rubbish player, he has just played for great teams. There is only one leader in Gallas eyes and thats himself. He needs to look at how he performs and behaves and ask himself does he deserve to be captain. Give it to V Persie, he is a model professional.

Posted 09:20 15th May 2008

James Woods (Arsenal fan) says...

I did not agree with the captain armband being given to Gallas. He is a top player but no player should be given captaincy as soon as they arrive at the club as for one, they do not know how the club is run as they are new. I would rather see Kolo Toure given the armband - he has been at Arsenal for while and fully deserves it.

Posted 08:15 15th May 2008

Chris Mohammed (Arsenal fan) says...

I always thought that the captain should have been either Kolo or Fabragas and even though Gallas has been ok...I think on of these would show a lot more passion and would motivate rather than sulk!!!

Posted 07:40 15th May 2008
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