Captain sensible?

William Gallas' comments about unrest in the Arsenal camp have called into question his credentials to be Gunners captain. James Dall looks at the Frenchman's latest outburst and assesses how damaging it could prove in the long run.

Last updated: 21st November 2008  

Captain sensible?

Gallas: Will he remain as Arsenal captain?

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It is general consensus that William Gallas' latest comments are a public stride too far for an experienced player that has the honour of being Arsenal captain.

Gallas was presented with the armband at the beginning of last season, usurping the now-departed Gilberto Silva, a Brazilian midfielder who served six years in the red and white.

Gilberto enjoyed an exemplary 2006/07 season as skipper, scoring 11 goals and - in a campaign when eight Premier League games were lost - not sticking his verbal oar in to stir up choppy waters in north London.

France international Gallas was a controversial appointment by his compatriot Arsene Wenger, there is no question. But fears over his attitude, Chelsea roots, displays on the pitch and leadership skills were largely pacified until 23rd February.

That Saturday at St Andrews was a dreadful day to be a Gunner. A horrendous injury to the increasingly sharp Eduardo, two points dropped so late on and then Gallas, the young team's commander, losing his French head.

Gallas' petulant exhibition was eye-opening, and yet he received the backing of Wenger. The image of a crest-fallen Tony Adams, tears in his eyes, crumpled on the turf does not sit well in the belly for the reason that it would not have occurred.

Scrutinised

The knives have been out for Gallas since; every sound-bite analysed, body language scrutinised, misdemeanours publicised. Gallas' 'player news archive' on the skysports.com website screams of too many controversies for a man with power and responsibility.

A question on most lips is whether he should remain as captain - more than 80 per cent of those who voted in a skysports.com poll think not. But Wenger is a stubborn man and, while the pressure is mounting for him to relieve Gallas of his duties, it is expected he will lead the charges out at Manchester City on Saturday.

The counter-argument suggests Gallas' position of power allows him the right to make such revelations of 'complaining', 'insults' and 'problems'. But how far can a captain go before his honesty opens up an unhealable wound?

Talk of unrest, in what has already been a testing campaign for the Gunners, only serves to stir up further whispers of discontent. It seems odd to bring about a dressing room fall-out from last month's game against Tottenham Hotspur. It serves only to renew past squabbles.

Perhaps Gallas' quotes were taken out of context, perhaps he intended a rallying cry, although said theories look a bit like clutching at straws. At 31-years-old, he is not naive to the media's ways. He knows, for example, a cringe-worthy pre-match teamtalk at Chelsea will be caught by television cameras.

Gallas went as far as to intimate he is uncertain where his footballing future lies next season. For this reason, Wenger may already be planning his replacement. Cesc Fabregas is a favourite in a many a fan's eyes. He is a man who has demonstrated remarkable spoken maturity.

It is a conundrum Arsenal could certainly do without. But it is a debate that will rumble on until the Gunners lift silverware, Gallas steps down or leaves the club, or Wenger is bullish as chief and draws the curtain on what has so far been a failure of an experiment.

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Comments (4)

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Arsenal Ace (Arsenal fan) says...

we need a change now defenitely and if that means gallas doesnt play its ok i think toure should take the arm band and he will lead from the front and he would never publicly announce anything about his team mates or anything else...

Posted 15:32 21st November 2008

Alex Castillo (arsenal fan) says...

Im sick to death of gallas' childish behaviour! The sort of behaviour you would not even expect from a young, inexperienced player let alone a 31 year old international and club captain. No more chances anymore he must be stripped of the captaincy and if he wants to leave so be it he is a bad influence on the youth at the club and the fact that Gilberto was snubbed in favour of him is the worst mistake of Wenger's Arsenal career. Cesc for captain!

Posted 15:17 21st November 2008

Ryan Sylvester (Stoke City fan) says...

I Can't even believe he is the captain anyway if i'm honest! if his defending was half as good as his moaning then he might be worth his place as Arsenal's captain! He did nothing but moan when he was at chelsea for being played in the wrong position! if he was any good then he might have had an arguement. Cesc or Kolo should be captain i think.. should have let Gilberto stay another year and never taken the armband of him, and then pass it onto Cesc next season

Posted 14:01 21st November 2008

Charlie Chaplinsagooner (Arsenal fan) says...

Dear oh dear oh dear, I have followed arsenal since I was five and have seen some things happen at the club in 30 plus years but this season seems likely to be the worst that I can remember in terms of player unrest and in house squabbling. It seems that the plain and simple truth is we don't have another leader worthy to wear the arsena captains armband save Toure, he never moans, never gives up and you never here of him wanting away unlike cesc, ade, gallas etc, heh would be my choice, and it may improve his unusually erratice form this season, please wenger stop trying to give the armband to players just to keep them at the club because they behave like 10 year old kids and threaten to leave very summer and january, it nver worked with thierry nor gallas. no silverware for another season but that not the b all and end all, lets play the beautiful game, wn some, lose some but always with dignity, but alas our young squad win one game against manu and think their world beaters, arrogance is a trait not admired by many.

Posted 13:52 21st November 2008
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