Arsenal captain William Gallas made the headlines yesterday when he claimed that the Arsenal dressing room is divided, that Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott had a fight during the Spurs game, and that there is a "rat" at the club.
The fallout from the interview, given to a French newspaper, has seen many call for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to sack Gallas as captain.
Now there's reports, particularly in today's London Evening Standard, that Gallas plans to move back to France next season.
Whilst I believe that Kolo Toure, rather than Gallas, should be captain, getting rid of Gallas altogether would be another massive blow for Arsenal. He's one of the rare things at the Emirates—experienced and has a history of winning trophies, having won two Premier League titles and the Carling Cup whilst at Chelsea.
However, Gallas is also experienced at being moody when things do not go his way, as best demonstrated at Birmingham City last season when Arsenal let a lead slip away. An Arsenal captain should be strong, back his teammates all the way, and not hesitate to help them in the right direction—in short, exactly like Tony Adams.
He should not be petulant, sell his teammates down the river or go missing in big games—like Gallas.
Nigel Winterburn has come out and suggested that Wenger will not take the captaincy away from Gallas, claiming that it will undermine Arsenal's season, as if four defeats haven't already done that so far this season.
I disagree—new ideas from a new captain, preferably Toure, who is one of only two surviving members of the Invincibles (Gael Clichy being the other) would work wonders for the club, especially as they go into a big month of games, including a trip to Chelsea and a home game against Liverpool, both games Arsenal must win.
In short, it doesn't matter what goes on at the club, as long as you keep it in house. As Gallas has aired Arsenal's problems out in the open, other clubs will be licking their lips looking to take advantage, and for that, Gallas should pay with the loss of his armband.
UPDATE: It has just been confirmed by BBC Sport that Gallas has been stripped of the captaincy.
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about 1 month ago
Spot on mate.
Gallas should now be sacked - I don't know if that will happen... reports seem to suggest that he will be retained as such for the Man City match with Wenger sacking him after the game.
I don't know - he certainly hasn't been a positive influence on the team as such.. and after making possibly the biggest mistake of his career, I don't think he deserves a second chance.
from about 1 month ago
I just heard on the radio he's been stripped of the captaincy.
from about 1 month ago
At last, good on Wenger.
about 1 month ago
I'll pay for the stamp to post him back to France, even if I have to pay more for the extra weight of his big fat head!!
Of all the big clubs in the world he must be one of the worst captain... United - Neville/Giggs/Ferdinand, Liverpool - Gerrard, Chelsea - Terry, Juve - Del Piero, Milan - Maldini etc and we have this gopshite
about 1 month ago
toure for captain. gallas to be shipped out in january and a tough no nonsense defender in. pretty sure what every arsenal fan would want.
about 1 month ago
As of 7pm, BBC Sport says Gallas is still the captain.
from about 1 month ago
The daily mail and talk sport radio say he's been stripped of it.
from about 1 month ago
He wasn't on the bus and it is all over Arsenal forums and blogs. He is on his way back to France in Jan it seems.
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