Wenger hails goal hero Gallas

Arsenal boss delighted with centre-back as Gunners claim late win

By Robin Hackett   Last updated: 24th November 2007   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Wenger hails goal hero Gallas

Gallas: Winner

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Arsene Wenger hailed 'forgotten centre-forward' William Gallas after his late goal finally broke down Wigan at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal, who were without the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Alexander Hleb and Gilberto Silva, struggled to find a way through against the resolute visitors.

But Gallas headed home Bacary Sagna's cross seven minutes from time before Tomas Rosicky added a second two minutes later, giving Arsenal all three points and leaving Wenger hugely grateful to the centre-back.

"I think he is a forgotten centre-forward, because he is always in the right place in the box," he told Sky Sports.

"It was a great header. He smells where you have to be in the box on set pieces or even in the open game.

"He has fantastic quality."

Under pressure

While Wenger and the crowd appeared frustrated for much of the game, the Arsenal boss said he was pleased with the way the likes of Lassana Diarra and Denilson performed under difficult circumstances.

"We had a little bit of a slow start," he said.

"I'm very happy because it was a very different game for our midfield today, especially as they were marked very tight and always under pressure, and overall I'm very happy with them."