Gallas admits 'mistakes'

Frenchman vows to be an improved Arsenal captain

By James Dall   Last updated: 28th July 2008

Gallas admits 'mistakes'

Gallas: To atone for mistakes

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Arsenal defender William Gallas has vowed to change his approach to captaincy in the new season after admitting he made 'mistakes' last term.

The Frenchman, who was handed the role last summer, came in for heavy criticism following his reaction to The Gunners' 2-2 draw against Birmingham City.

Gallas, 30, publicly demonstrated his disappointment at a late penalty conceded at St Andrews, kicking at an advertising hoarding before refusing to watch the spot-kick.

It has been claimed that the centre-back is not guaranteed to skipper Arsenal in the new campaign, however Gallas feels he is better equipped to cope with the responsibility this time round.

He said: "You know I learned a lot, you want to be the best captain, give good advice to your players, but sometimes you can make mistakes as well so I think this season I know what I'm going to do and I know I am ready to change my way to speak to the players."

Olympics

Meanwhile, Alexandre Song has promised manager Arsene Wenger he will return from the Olympics ready to fight for his place in the Arsenal side.

"I talked to the boss and told him that my country wanted me to play and he told me that if I want to go I can as long as I come back to Arsenal and show him what I can do," he said.

"Arsenal have a young team and some very good players and when I get back I just need to stay fit and do all I can to get a chance of playing for the first team."

Song, 20, will miss the start of the new term when he represents Cameroon at the Beijing Olympics next month.