Cesc Fabregas was today named as Arsenal's new captain by Arsene Wenger even though William Gallas is back in the team to face Dynamo Kiev tomorrow night.

Gallas has apologised for his outspoken attack on his team-mates but the Gunners boss has decided to strip the French defender of the captaincy permanently.

Wenger insisted that the French defender was a player that he still wanted at the club. He also blamed pressure from the media for last week's outburst and said he had not made a mistake making the Frenchman skipper in the first place.

Gallas lost the captaincy and was dropped for Saturday's defeat at Manchester City after suggesting there was a “rat” at the club and that he had to break up a fight at half-time in the 4-4 draw with Tottenham.

But Wenger said today: “William Gallas will play. William is a player that I rate. I have a big respect for him. He has been working in a difficult media environment and has come under pressure from the Press.

“As a man and player, I still have a big respect for him. He remains committed to the club. He took the problems (at Arsenal) to his heart. He can still come back as a stronger player for this club.”

Wenger was reluctant to divulge the exact reasons why he had chosen Fabregas to be his new leader.
The 21-year-old Spaniard will become the youngest Arsenal captain since Tony Adams was handed the armband in January 1988 at the same age.

Wenger added: “The captain has to be the voice of the club, but I have always said I do not believe in having only one leader. A successful team is one that has a shared leadership.”

The Arsenal boss refused to confirm that Gallas will not be sold in the January transfer window, yet insisted that the events of the past ten days — which have included back-to-back League defeats to Aston Villa and Manchester City — were not caused by the Frenchman's outburst.

“It has not been a difficult time for me,” said Wenger. “When you don't win no-one jumps off the roof. In this country we go from catastrophe to success — yet real life is somewhere in between. This is a very young team that is learning their trade and they have to learn how to deal with that [adversity]. But we have a good way to protect young players here.”

French international team-mate Florent Malouda has told Gallas he must now take responsibility for his actions.

Paris Saint Germain are hoping to take Gallas on loan in January and hope the presence of former Chelsea team-mate Claude Makelele in the dressing room will convince him to make the switch. But Chelsea midfielder and close friend Malouda hopes he resolves his dispute.

He said: “I can't judge his attitude in the Arsenal dressing room, it's not my problem. He has to be responsible for what he said and in this context I know it's difficult for him, but when you are friends you have to support them even if everyone is against them.”

A point against Kiev should see the Gunners qualify for the second round but they will have to do it without Samir Nasri (inflamed knee) and Abou Diaby (abdominal strain), who have both been ruled out of the match.