With transfer to Spurs, Gallas completes tour of London

By: Sarah | August 22nd, 2010

william-gallas-pic-dm-922681797

After much speculation with clubs abroad, it appears Gallas will only be moving across London to join the Spurs. The central defender, who has been with Arsenal since his transfer from Chelsea in 2006, signs with the Spurs on a free transfer. Speculation that he would leave Arsenal began last Spring when negotiations between the player and the club broke down. Wenger was unwilling to make Gallas an exception to his policy to only offer players over 30 a one-year contract extension and Gallas was apparently weary to accept a contract for less money for only a year. Convinced he could find a better deal elsewhere, Gallas went on a tour of Europe – but found no such deal. Despite looking in France (PSG), Greece (Panathinakos) and Italy (Milan)- Gallas has found a new home right across town reportedly for…one year and a pay cut.

Unlike Arsenal’s past captains who left with an almost-Godlike reputation among Arsenal fans, Gallas’s legacy at the club is far more…complex. He undoubtedly played some of the best football of his career there, scored some key goals and formed a formidable partnership with Thomas Vermaelen last year in central defense. In his second year at the club, Wenger appointed him as captain when Thierry Henry left for Barcelona and Arsenal started off that season playing some extraordinary football.

Unfortunately, that is not how his reign as Arsenal’s captain will be remembered. Instead, he will likely be remembered for his outbursts to the press, his tense relationships with his teammates (Nasri and Kolo Toure have all publicly criticized Gallas’s leadership skills) and his violent and sulking behavior after drawing 2-2 with Birmingham City in 2008.

It is exactly this legacy (which is described in more detail by Martin on the Arsenal blog)- coupled with his age – which suggests that this transfer to Arsenal’s “arch nemesis” will not be as acrimonious as previous transfer sagas between rivals (the Figos, Sol Campbells etc). That said- he will probably not receive the same “special reception” provided to Thierry Henry when he returned to Emirates Stadium last season in the Champions League. Gunners may not want Gallas, but I’m certain Arsenal fans have enough pent up aggression from putting up with his antics for the past 2 years to whistle and boo him when he visits the Emirates later this year…

To discuss Gallas’s legacy at Arsenal or what he can bring to the Spurs – please visit the Arsenal and Spurs blogs!

Some Related Stories:

Category: World Football

« Messi’s Hat Trick Wins Barcelona the Spanish Super Cup | Home | A Name to Remember: Johan Voskamp (Of Eight Goals in One Game Fame) »

The Offside RSS Feeds

sandra350

Lots of gooners are really hostile toward Gallas but I'm not (insofar as his time at Arsenal - I'm more critical of him on the national team than at Arsenal). I never liked AW giving him the #10 shirt (a ridiculous, stupid decision) and making him captain (an even more ridiculous, stupid decision).

However, his famous "strop" at Birmingham has been hugely and hysterically overstated and frankly, emotionally, I was right there with him when he blew his top. Totally understood his reaction, had absolutely no problem with it - disgust with the Eduardo injury, disgust with his teammates for not being able to carry over our serious title bid over the line. Tellingly, the people who were actually at the stadium that day thought nothing of it, and barely noticed it. Only when they went home to see the TV coverage did they see that it had become a HUGE talking point.

Nor was I upset with him over his public criticisms of his teammates at all -- ok, it would've been more diplomatic NOT to have gone public with them but I really didn't care. He was entirely correct in his opinions about his teammates, I was just as disgusted as he was (and still am).

Gallas never claimed to be a true gunner and I never took him that way. He never kissed the badge like that miserable Adebayor did, and I respected him for it. (I truly truly detest Ade).

What Gallas gave us was some excellent displays, he was absolutely solid for most of his time with us. He made some errors on occasion, dropped out of form for short periods but for 90% of his stay with us, he was excellent in defense. He's a driven, hardworking winner. Wasn't his fault that his manager couldn't be bothered to prioritize defensive organization, understanding and solidity, or give him a top class keeper to work with.

His value to us was always shown when, toward the end of every season, he was inevitably injured for the rest of the season. His absence was always felt on the pitch.

I am a little irritated that he'll go to spurs because I don't like any of our players going to them and because even now he still has some good performances left in him. And it's not like our defense is anything to be impressed with.
Bender Rodriguez

Weird Milan didn't take him, they're a retirement home.
OffsideSarah

Im disappointed Gallas didn't go to Paris myself- but they actually made some great buys in the transfer market this summer (Nene from Monaco and Bodmer from Lyon). Now Bodmer gets injured every other game-but can produce some really fantastic stuff when healthy.
Ian

Gallas for Palace. The marketing writes itself.
Rob

If he finishes his career at West Ham, he'll have done an oddly appropriate geographical arc.
agiamba

West Ham and then Fulham on loan!
Jj

I doubt he'd be tempted to go to a championship side next year!
OffsideSarah

If the price is right, I wouldnt count Gallas out : )