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William Gallas planning Arsenal exit as rift storm grows
Graham Hunter21.11.08
William Gallas has revealed he is planning a move back to France as he faces losing the Arsenal captaincy following an astonishing attack on his team-mates.
The 31-year-old defender said yesterday he had to break up a fight in the Gunners dressing room at half time during the 4-4 draw with Tottenham; claimed the Gunners youngsters were not showing enough bravery; that there was a 25-year-old troublemaker in the team and that he would consider his own future if the club fail to win a trophy this season.
Arsene Wenger will be furious with this latest outburst from Gallas, who has been criticised in the past for sulking after the 2-2 draw with Birmingham last season and accusing Theo Walcott for not fulfilling his potential.
Wenger will now have to decide whether to punish the Frenchman and leave him out of tomorrow's trip to Manchester City. He may even decide to sell Gallas, who made it clear earlier this week that he wants to leave Emirates Stadium and return home to France.
Gallas said: "It's true that I'd like to return to France for one or perhaps two seasons to finish my career.
"But if I go it won't be to just 'anywhere'. I'd go to a big club or nowhere at all. The choices look simple to me - it would be Marseille, Lyon, PSG or, let's not forget, Bordeaux.
"PSG are a massive club and known everywhere. I've stayed in contact with Claude Makelele and he's told me that he's pretty happy to be in Paris. He feels he's getting the respect he deserves from everyone.
"As far as Bordeaux is concerned I really like the club and the region. I was a Jean Tigana fan when he played for Bordeaux and their coach right now is Laurent Blanc who I've never played for but who knows football off by heart and must be a good guy to lead you."
Former England manager Graham Taylor believes that Wenger now has to relieve Gallas of the captaincy after his latest outburst.
Taylor said: "You would think by now that Arsene Wenger would know what sort of person he wants as a captain and if it isn't working for him, make those changes.
"He knows what he wants from a captain and, if he feels that Gallas is not doing that, then he is wrong to continue with him. I am surprised that he still has stuck with Gallas."
Reader views (18)
he was mince meat in the andy cole transfer.never really wanted by arsenal,it was to save face ,about being cheap with the wages,thats why cole got lost,and 20 year olds dont want to play with there grandad,wenger should take some blame,he chose the wrong guy to be captain of the BEST football team in the world,,,,,gallas must GO,im a lpool fan and true RED
- Phil, usa
Nobody has mentioned the real outrage Gallas has perpetrated - wearing Denis' No. 10 shirt.
- Phil, Scunthorpe Humberside
Gallas has a book coming out: his autobiography. It hits the shelves tomorrow, I believe.
He is talking all this up to publicise his book project. In so doing he is putting his own financial gain above that of the team's well being. This is not what a Captain should be up to.
- Microraptor, London
Since the arrival of William Gallas, Arsenal players have not settled. He is not a leader like his fellow Frenchman, Vieira. I think it is time for him to go if arsenal is to be rebuilt in the next two years.
- Engwau Stephen, Kampala -Uganda
Apparently he has just 'quit'. A players meeting ensured his downfall.
Would like to see Clichy get it. Don't think we should burden Fabregas with it.
- Simon Talker, Sevenoaks
The question is did Gallas actually say what he is alleged to have said? Following the last international break, Fabregas was said to be on his way to Barcelona. If this is an elaborate by the media to break up Arsenal in the hope they will be replaced with the local English boys, its working. . . So many people take what they read as FACT.
- Jame Fox, London, England
Chelsea could have told Arsenal that Mr Gallas is a disruptive influence. But they were too busy fighting with us about Ashley Cole and they thought taking Mr Gallas would hurt us. What do you guys think now?
- Larry Norris, East London. South Africa
I agree with gallas. Arsenal are a shambles at present with too many internal issues. I don't agree with the way he has gone to the press, but he is just voicing his concern....whilst looking for a transfer away.
Van Persie, Eboue, Adebayor all seem to have grown too big for their boots. They are hardly world class players with stacks of medals under their belts. At least the Chelsea player have trophies and medals to go along with their poor attitude, however, they fight for one another and work together as a team, something distinctly lacking in the current Arsenal side.
Get rid of Eboue, Van Persie and draft the young guns in. May take 3 seasons but at least they will fight for the cause.
- Bill Smith, london
The real problem is that Arsenal fc has become the personal plaything of Arsne Wenger. A few outstanding performances by his youth team seems to be enough to please him these days.Forget about The Premiership and the CL a good thrashing for Sheffield United by his youngsters will suffice.
- James Hennessy, london england
Blunder - the own goal was a slur by Mourinho. Ironically in his last game for Chelsea, Gallas was captain. Bizarrely when he signed for Arsenal, the media suggested They had the far better deal. How wrong they were!
- Jimbo, London,
I think Wenger is getting from Gallas what he deserves. No matter what people think or say Wenger's love for French players made him to appoint Gallas as the captain of Arsenal.A captain should be chosen on the basis of his commitment and history of the club.
Wenger is no good to the English football. It high time this muppet and his myopic manager to go.
- Degospel, Freetown
Listen, he is French, Wegner won't penalise or drop him! If he does it may mean he will have to play an English player instead and we can't have that, can we? C'est bon non!
- Mc, London
The man was trouble at Chelsea and it's no surprise he's the same at Arsenal. Remember he threatened to score an 'own goal' at Chelsea if they did not sell him. Then, like now, he went to the press because he wasn't getting his own way, a sulker who does nothing for team spirit.
- Blunder, London
Its about time Gallas moved on from Arsenal,he was never an Arsenal player at heart and certainly not an Arsenal captain in keeping with previous or traditional keeping.
Arsenal fans have never questioned wengers choices before but when Gallas was brought to the club we wondered why?much less being made captain.Gallas was never an outstanding player,he was just ordinary ...We at Arsenal are much more excited about the rest of the squad but Gallas only thinks about himself.
- Colin, london
Even though i have no time for Arsenal..This guy is total muppett,he has offended the club,fans,players and his own manager...a true case of an overpaid idiot with a huge ego,it is no coincidence that Arsenal`s problems began when this guy arrived,even Ashley Cole did not cause half as much bother as him.I am sure the premier league will be well rid of his spit the dummy out childish antics and sulks,a well over rated defender too,Arsene Wenger for once must open his `i did not see it eyes` and get rid of this bad influence,surely the Gooners have a better skipper in the wings who could not take the club down like this plonker
- Phil, croxley
The sooner he goes the better;useless as captain,an increasing liability as a player - with Silvestre forms the worst central-defensive pairing in Premiership;both easily beaten for pace by speedy forwards(as Agbonlahor showed),both fallible to the high ball into the box.Oh,but they are both French which ensures them places in the starting line-up.
- Albert Bear, Cranbrook,Kent,England
The way Gallas has been peforming I think its time to depart. he has been a very example as captain & can easily be replaced my the taller & more mobile Djourou. Au Revoir William
- Rob Gooner, London
If Gallas does not want to stay he should be sold as soon as possible,no one player is bigger than the club, and Wenger should have offloaded him after the Birmingham incident.He has shown time and again this season that he is not mentally strong enough to compete as a team captain in the premiership,maybe a move back to the more sedate football played in France will suit him better.Wenger should drop him for the Man City game,after the comments he has now made i personally hope he never pulls on an Arsenal shirt again.
- Jim Ex Pat,N1, thailand
