For 12 years, Arsenal fans have been used to a manager so loyal it borders on the belligerent, but that quality appears to be lost on the team’s captain, William Gallas.
According to reports this morning, Gallas has been stripped of the Arsenal captaincy. For the sake of the club’s future, the manager may have to go even further and boot him out altogether.
Arsene Wenger has irritated almost everyone in the footballing world with his answer to any question regarding even the most blatant infringements from his players – “I did not see it.” William Gallas on the other hand sees a lot and he doesn’t mind sharing it.
In media reports on Thursday Gallas criticised his team mates for not being brave enough, openly discussed dressing room bust-ups and complained about a mystery player who “insults us”.
Does “Gallas the Grump” really expect this to boost Arsenal’s chances, inspire his players or endear him to the fans? He is either remarkably naive or he just doesn’t care. Either way, Alex Ferguson, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Rafa Benitez must be laughing their Christmas stockings off.
Arsenal’s last Premiership campaign was on track until their draw away to Birmingham sentenced them to a third straight trophy-less season.
That game ended with a petulant strop from Gallas, who kicked down advertising hoardings, refused to play after Birmingham were awarded a penalty and only left the pitch after getting a hug from his manager.
What a captain!
PHOTO: Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas talks to William Gallas during a team training session at London Colney, September 29, 2008. REUTERS/ Eddie Keogh
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Isn’t the point that Gallas now wants a move away? I think it’s a bit of a mountain being made out of a mole hill. This wouldn’t have been in the news at all if it weren’t for the fact that Arsenal are second rate this season. Wenger needs a defensive midfielder and a world class central defender. He should be worrying about that…not a few loose words from his captain.
- Posted by TitusIt is only a matter of time before he starts to threaten to score own goals…again.
Maybe he’ll also take another move across London. Tottenham anyone?
- Posted by Hans Moman[...] Gallas revealing ’secrets’ from Arsenal’s dressing room? Nothing. And what’s so terrible about a captain hitting out at his team mates when they fail to [...]
- Posted by Don’t blame Gallas — he was trying to do a captain’s job | Soccer News InfoBullshit. As captain Gallas needs to be strong when his team is weak. He is the voice of the manager on the pitch, he actions and mannerism matter much more than any other players’. Its a responsibility and an honour to be a captain and Gallas does not realise this. Some of the blame must go to Wenger as well, because he seems to be unable to handle big egos. In my oppinion, Wenger has been making mistakes since the first day Gallas arrived, after giving Gallas the 10 shirt (worn by Denis Berg.) and making him captain, he should have punished him after the Bermingham game.
I don’t think its fair to blame one player for a teams bad run of results, but when that player is the captain and his negative attitude is visible to the opposition, then you need to ask yourself ……………………. Y WAS HE EVER MADE THE CAPTAIN.
- Posted by BabsI personally do not think Gallas should be the scape goat for Arsernal woes. Fine he is the captain but the point is that the truth will have to be said, the only offence Gallas has committed is is to to said this openly. Arsernal players are playing like secondary school boys, they should be brave and fight like men on the field of play and that is the point Galls is trying to say. Galls as a captain does not want to be associated with failure but success hence his outburst . Arsene Wenger should go and buy experiened and quality players rather than relying on all these small boy players.
- Posted by Victor OmoniyiWho would you choose as the next Arsenal Captain?
- Posted by nicolaWenger should not have made Gallas captain in the first place. I am happy that he has realized his mistake or in fact, Gallas has been kind enough to show us that he is not capable of captaincy for Arsenal
- Posted by Razib Ahmed[...] Arsenal give Gallas the boot? Full Article For 12 years, Arsenal fans have been used to a manager so loyal it borders on the belligerent, but [...]
- Posted by The press, as we enter a crisis | The Gunning Hawk: A blog about Arsenal F.C.Well, his team mates proved Gallas dead right today.
- Posted by Julien[...] Excerpt from [...]
- Posted by Reuters Soccer Blog » Blog Archive » Should Arsenal give Gallas … | bestpenalty.comI was beginning to feel that Gallas was showing leadership qualities in the last few premiership games, most notably in his rather touching interaction with Theo Walcott who appeared to respond well to direction from the captain. However much I revel in Arsenal players who show a little spunk, no fan can tolerate disloyalty, particularly when Wenger is involved.
- Posted by BunterHe’s certainly not the captain today, anyway. In fact, he’s not even in the squad:
- Posted by Kevin Fylanhttp://uk.reuters.com/article/footballNe ws/idUKLM29819220081122
You are absolutley right Joe. As an Arsenal fan, I am shocked at the lack of disrespect and professionalism shown by Gallas. The only mystery appears to be how he retained the captaincy for so long after the Birmingham fiasco, a game which, ultimately, was the cause of our end of season slump. Surely it is inconceivable that Wenger can even be considering putting him back in the team after what he has said. Are Arsenal players going to watch what they say in the dressing room from now on? Gallas’ position is as you suggest untenable, and it seems very unlikely the rest of his team mates will ever truly accept him as a “team player” again. It is time to get rid of him, and bring in a captain who is able to rally his troops at bad moments in a season, not simply moan about the them.
- Posted by LozzaUTTER TOSS.
- Posted by NOSE BAGI think Gallas should be sold, teach him a lesson. On the other hand Arsenal don’t have any central defenders, so maybe they should keep him for now.
- Posted by BaronGallas is typical of the rich, pampered football generation. It is about time players stopped whining about each other and just get on with playing. Wenger is right to keep him out of the team as managers should punish players egos when they get out of control.
- Posted by Lady P[...] to Source Share and [...]
- Posted by Should Arsenal give Gallas the boot? | Soccer News InfoWenger should go back to his drawing board this is not the time to blame or ascerting descipline but a time left to correct tatical error in the team. Gallas has made his view known and i dont think that was a mistake but he has hit the nail on the head.Wenger don`t disappoit us this more. GUNERS FOR LIFE!
- Posted by lawrence Oluwaseyi[...] Source: Joe Brock [...]
- Posted by Soccer Camps » Blog Archive » Should Arsenal give Gallas the boot?[...] captaincy. For the sake of the club’s future, the manager may have to go even further [...] Go to Source Last 5 posts in Premier LeagueAnother meaningless friendly? Well, not quite… - November 19th, [...]
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