William Gallas Puts His Own Reputation Before Arsenal’s

By: Daryl | November 20th, 2008

William Gallas’s Arsenal captaincy has been questioned more than once recently, and with good reason. Last season’s centre circle sit-down (pictured) comes to mind. And now – with Arsenal’s title chances looking slimmer than Peter Crouch on a diet – Gallas has finally cracked and spilled all kinds of beans about internal arguments at Arsenal.

Here’s what he told the press:

“When, as captain, some players come up to you and talk to you about a player…complaining about him… and then during the match you speak to this player and the player in question insults us…There comes a time where we can no longer comprehend how this can happen.”

Yes, William, complaining about your teammates is a bad idea. Especially to the press. Which is what you just did.

Worse, he comes as close to naming names as you can get without actually naming names:

“I am trying to defend myself a bit without giving names. Otherwise I’m taking it all (the blame). It’s very frustrating,” he said. “I’m 31, the player is six years younger than me.”

So, calculators out, 31-6=25. A quick flick through the Arsenal squad reveals just ~~three~~ four players aged 25: Eduardo, Robin van Persie Emmanuel Eboue, and Bacary Sagna. With Eduardo out injured that only leaves the other three. So now either van Persie, Eboue or Sagna is going to hate William Gallas’s guts.

Gallas also revealed there was a bustup at halftime in the recent Arsenal 4-4 Spurs London derby, and claimed that the team need to be “warriors” and “soldiers”. Any military cliche will do.

He probably thinks he’s shaking things up with this crazy outburst, but for me it’s just more proof that he’s not captain material. Especially because he seems more interested in saving his own reputation than the team’s. Can you imagine Tony Adams saying any of the above?

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Category: English Premier League

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RyanJ

I agree with you on that Kelly. We are in dire need of a quality CM or DM. The problem with us unlike the most other big teams in Europe is that we lack depth. We need depth. It's bad business when you have to worry about who will replace Theo because he's out for 3-4 months. In addition, I'm lost for words concerning Rosicky, I can't understand why his return is indefinate.
Kelly

I really really hope that Arsene signs a good CM, at this point I dont really even care if they are Cup tied for the CL. I think we need this CM to be like Flamini, but more talented, a box to box player that wins tackles, over the age of 21 with plenty of first team experience. Im not sure how many players out there right now I would consider great DMs but we need one of them. I think its important this player comes in January because it will show Cesc this club does have ambition, give him more time to develop an understanding with this player, and hopefully will convince him to stay. I'd also consider signing a winger now that Theo is out 3-4 months and who nows when we will see Rosicky again, but I think the most we will get is one first team ready signing.
Summer is when I would make alot more drastic changes.
RyanJ

Like both of you I don't think Almunia is a good enough keeper for Arsenal and like both of you stated, there is no clear cut choices for a captain at this point. Therefore, I guess we have to pray that we can salvage our season and grind out some wins to become title contenders once more. We damn sure have the talent but as for confidence and leadership at this point I really don't know what to say. Seeing that January is around the corner what do you think will happen?
RyanJ

Point well taken Kelly.
Kelly

Uwvie, i agree with all you have said, there is no good choice because there are no experienced leaders in this team that consistently perform. I do not want to see Almunia given the captaincy because I am holding out hope that we will sign a better goalkeeper or maybe promote Fabianski if hes ready.
Kelly

RyanJ you completly ignored my reasons that I think Clichy is the most capable of being a good a captain, i clearly did not say that the only criterea Clichy falls under is solid performaces.
I said he is one of few players on this team who keeps a level head and workrate the whole match, every match, which is something that can not be said for Cesc. He never goes and whines to the press, and he is already a leader in the squad. He works harder, and seems to care more about this club than many others do, and he is most likely out of Toure and Fabregas to still be here with a starting job long into the future.
Wenger will not take the job from Gallas, but I can see him being sold most likely in the summer, and then a new captain can be appointed.
Uwvie

Really i think the problem is who do you give the armband to? i think that the reason Gilberto was stripped of the captaincy was not Copa America, but the fact that he wasn't a player who was relied on to start every game, at least in Wenger's eyes. Arsenal don't really have anyone right now that is both undroppable and a experienced enough to be a leader right now. Kolo is next in line, but remember Kolo was recently dropped. Maybe Almunia? He performed well enough when he was captain a few weeks back.Maybe he would up his game a level. Personally i think Arsene will stick with Gallas for this season and then he will be sold.
RyanJ

It all a matter of personal opinion, as it should be. I agree that Clichy has been putting in some slid performances, but I don't believe that should be the only criteria for being a captain. To put in strong performances is simply apart of his job description as a defender. He is very young and with the accumulation of more experience he could develop into a leader, but for now he isn't a suitable candidate. Kolo Toure or Cesc remain the two most suited for the role. However, like I said, Wegner isn't going to take the job away from Gallas beause he would implode.
Kelly

First RyanJ, I am an Arsenal fan, I watch every match.

I agree at first I felt like Kolo should have been given the captaincy, but now I do not think he is even playing well enough to constitute being our starting CB, much less captain, plus I feel he has a tendency to over react to situations, not to the point Gallas does, but still to much to be captain over this team.
Cesc I also at one point thought should be captain, but again now I dont think so. This season he is playing like his head is already in Spain, and last season it was easy for him to act as leader because he had another leader along side of him in Flamini. Flamini imo was the real leader last year, and it was a huge mistake of Arsene's to let him go.
In my opinion no one at Arsenal now has the all the qualities of being a captain, but if I had to pick one it would be Clichy. He does not whine, he does not sulk, he always puts in maximum effort, he has a good head on his shoulders, and I believe he will be at Arsenal far into the future.
RyanJ

I agree that Cesc shouldn't be given the captaincy just to persuade him to stay, but I disagree on many other fronts with you Kelly. I think Arsenal has leaders, though not many. Kolo Toure in my eyes is a leader and should have been given the captaincy in the first place. I felt insulted when the responsibilty was given to a newcomer who hadn't proven himself a leader anywhere in his career. I don't know if you've watched many of Arsenal's games, especailly last seaon in the CL. Cesc took the team on his back and uplifted the team when someone needed to step up. He was able to motivate his peers to step it up a gear when they had given up. Even so, when Arsenal had dropped the season to ManU and Chelsea, Willy was in the middle of the field crying like a bitch, it was Cesc who went around and told his fellow team mates to hold their heads up. He might be young, but leaders aren't born thy're made.
Kelly

Cesc by no means should be captain. He is definatly not ready for that, and who knows if he will even be at Arsenal next season. Giving him the captaincy to try to get him to stay would be just making the same mistake over again.
The problem with Arsenal is there are no leaders, Gallas tried, but hes stuck with a load of whinging little kids, who are paid more money than they deserve, treat the club with no respect and have won f*ck all. This is not Gallas' fault, its Wengers.
Gallas should not come out and say this to the media, but it seems to me that he has tried to sort it out internally but the team wont listen, and the manager just goes on about not caring about winning, which wouldnt exactly fire the players up, so I cant say I blame him all that much.
Mat

I agree..Cesc would be a very good captain..and that would make him want to stay too, as much as I'd like him at Barca
RyanJ

I argee, Cesc would make a great captain. He's already looked up to by many of his team mates for leadership as well as proving a leader on and off the field. Evenmore, Arsenal is a young team and I believe most players will identify with Cesc more than Gallas. However, I think if boss man were to relieve Gallas of his leadership duties it would prove catastrophic for Gallas, affect his play, and be detrimental for an Arsenal team already running on fumes. Gunner for Life
Andrea

Gallas needs to shut up. Give the arm band to Toure or even young Cesc. Give Cesc and incentive to stay and show him that you believe in him. I'm sure all the other players respect him very much, especially the young ones since they want to achieve what he has at such a young age. Please Arsene!
True Gooner

Considering that Gallas has a small brain, when he said "I'm 31 and the player is six years younger than me", did he mean 31 - 6 = 25? Don't rule out Ade.

I have to defend Gallas. Most gooners have been putting the blame on him for the losses. It's time he started defending himself. The effecting way of reaching out to all gooners is by talking to the press.
Mat

The pressure's mounting and he's already pointing fingers... even if there's something going on in the locker room, he should fix it... he if can't then he does not deserve to be the captain ..simple.. Arsene had his chance this summer to sack him and chose not to.. now he can face the consequences starting mid-Nov
Darren_V

Gallas is a prat. I am sick of his selfish whiney comments. Wish Wenger would get shot of him. Anyone would be a better captain than Gallas. Arsenal is typically a private club who keeps these matters in house, and Gallas seems to make everything worse...
RyanJ

It's pretty sad that Gallas is the way he is. I look at captains in the EPL, John Terry, Gerrard etc. and what I see are individuals that demand respect, not because they're good players but because they're resources on which the rest of the ream can draw for motivation. I see the aforementioned players put themselves on the line for the team and often take the team on their backs when the chips are down. I don't think Gallas is that type of person. He doesn't possess that quality. Kolo Toure would be my choice any day for the captaincy.
ricci

Oh man. Kellen Winslow syndrome comparing games to war. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...