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Arsenal turmoil exposed as Gallas reveals bust-up
Andrew Hodgson20.11.08
William Gallas has revealed how Arsenal tempers erupted into a furious dressing room row during the game against Tottenham which ended in a 4-4 draw last month.
The Gunners skipper said some players turned on one of the club's top stars at half-time and he was forced to break up the row as it threatened to run out of control.
Gallas refused to name the player who was verbally attacked, but his admission that there are serious tensions within the club and his insistence that the younger players must toughen up will infuriate his manager and may see the central defender lose the captaincy.
The Gunners are nine points behind Chelsea and Liverpool in the title race and have lost four Premier League matches already this season - and the loss of Theo Walcott to a shoulder injury will add to their problems.
Gallas has been blamed for not giving the team leadership after he sulked on his own on the pitch after last season's draw at Birmingham and, recently, was criticised by Wenger for being pictured holding an unlit cigarette.
But the Frenchman has now defended himself, insisting the problems were being created by an unnamed player and that it came to a head at half-time during the draw with Spurs.
Gallas said: "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.
"I am trying to defend myself a bit without giving names. Otherwise I'm taking it all (the blame). It's very frustrating. I'm 31, the player is six years younger than me.
"There was a problem at half-time (in the Spurs match). The only thing that I could say at half-time was 'Guys, we resolve these problems after the match, not at halftime'."
The only 25-year-olds involved in the north London derby were Robin van Persie and Bacary Sagna, who started the game - and Emmanuel Eboue, who came on as a substitute. Gallas insisted that Arsenal had to win a trophy this season after going four years without silverware but that would only happen if the players found a new steel.
"We have to understand that to be champions, you have to play big matches every weekend and fight," Gallas told the Associated Press.
"We are coming up against teams who are not scared to play football against us, who are not scared to take us on at our place, and this is becoming dangerous for Arsenal.
"We are not brave enough in battle. I think we need to be soldiers. We have to be warriors. There are teams who can do it well against us, and we have to be able to face up to these attacks."
The skipper said the players need to show the same appetite that Manchester United's did and added that he felt big contracts may have taken some of their hunger away.
"That makes the difference, perhaps. You can rest on your laurels, that's for sure," Gallas added.
Walcott underwent surgery today on his left shoulder after injuring it in training with England. Wenger insisted though that it was just "one of those things" and he did not blame Fabio Capello.
Reader views (11)
Take the captains armband off of william Gallas he has not got the leadership qualities to do the job,he should have kept his mouth shut about the dressing room bust up,and by more or less naming Van Persie has let down the club and hiself.Wenger should give the captains armband to Cesc Fabregas,who although he is much younger than Gallas shows far more leadership qualities,maturity and gets on with what he has to do in a workman like manner,rather than Gallas who frankly is becoming a lose "cannon"on and off the pitch.
- Jim Ex Pat,N1, thailand
I have been supporting Arsenal since 1967. Please can we get rid of Gallas. He has to be the worst captain of Arsenal in their history. As if his performances as a defender let alone a captain have been anything to write home about!
- Marie, Bodrum, Turkey
Who's Wenger going to blame this , it always has to be someones else's fault apart from him and his precious team, his constant complaining every time something goes wrong or excuses every time his team lose has got to the complete boredom stage, look in the mirror Wenger and admit the truth, your team are not realistic contenders for any of the major tropies any more, when Viera was kicking people all over the place it was ok, now poor Stoke who got stuck into his primadonas and won deservedly are considered 'dirty' but he never used to see his own teams foul play from where he was sitting, funny that
- Terry, London
Now lets see how Mr Wenger is going to handle this problem.I think he is soft and cannot act with the right attitude.A perfect example was when HLEB went to speak to an italian team about his future when he was Arsenal C.L game .How can a player walk out of the hotel without permission?? Players are being paid very well and therfore should accept discipline.
A.Messina
- A.Messina, Malta
Galas should do his talking on the pitch.I do not understand why Wenger gave him the captaincy in the 1st place.
Wenger is the best Manager i have seen ,but his display of arrogance in refusing to buy players is about to destroy what his has done in Arsenal.
What is Bendtner doing there?.
- Andy N, Dagenham
God, this guy has some nerve, down on your knees bawling your head off is hardly leadership, is it William?
- James Hennessy, London England
This only goes to show the lack of balance in the team. Flair without substance is like a house built on shifting sands (our defence)it will collapse. How the directors at the club have not intervened in Mr Venan obsession with youth is beyond me. Is he bigger than the club?
If we don't bolster the defence and midfield we shall be be out of the CL and also not qualify for next year.
- Harry Bloom, Holland on Sea, England.
It has to be Robin van Persie, the Dutch have a reputation for this kind of disharmony. Furthermore you can't see Sagna or Eboue siplaying this kind of arrogance, yetwith van Persie it is all too easy....
Still, personally I'm more than happy that my team can cause such disruption in the Arsenal dressing room, first Adebayor's and Bentner's fracas and then this. During a season like this one for Spurs, I have to take glimmers of sunshine when they appear...
- Meesterlee, London, UK
Its time to replace Gallas. He appears to be the cause of unrest at Arsenal & hasnt proved to be a great captain. Its time to start the excellent Djourou in his place, to give much needed added height & quality to the defence. I would appoint Silvestre captain in his place.
- Rob Gooner, North London
He is one of the main reasons we will win nothing again.
Gobby overated player who Wenger made captain at the expense of the team and supporters.
Sitting down on the pitch, threatening own goal is that the type you want as a leader. Act this time Wenger or lose the respect of the real Arsene knows fans.
- Pat, London
Just another whinging Frenchman. Its always everyone else's fault, the referee, bad light, the other team too tough, grass too long, nobody loves us, etc etc etc etc. Be honest Whinger doesn't know how to coach a defender or a defence! Gallas stated today that "he hasn't won anything at the Gooners for awhile," hasn't it dawned on him yet that he wont win anything this season either?
Wake up dreamers you will be lucky to finish in the top four this season.
- Baggyshorts, Guildford, England
