Wenger delighted with Gallas form

Tue, 13 Oct 13:32:41 2009

Arsene Wenger has hailed William Gallas' influence on Arsenal's new-look defence.

The veteran centre-back was on target for France in Saturday's 5-0 World Cup qualifying win over Faroe Islands, which secured a place in the play-offs, as he added to his three goals for the Gunners.

"William Gallas has had a fine start to the season, which is down to both his attitude and the quality of the player," said Wenger.

It has certainly been quite a transformation for the former Chelsea man, who this time last year was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy after publicly questioning the mentality of Wenger's young squad.

To his credit, Gallas has returned stronger for the whole experience and is now one of Arsenal's most consistent performers, and has quickly struck up an impressive partnership with £10million summer-signing Thomas Vermaelen following the sale of Kolo Toure to Manchester City.

"It can happen that any player has highs and lows in his career, but I must say his form now is a consequence of the way he behaves every day," he added. "He behaves 100% as a professional and is highly focused in training."

Wenger indicated he will look to discus a new deal for Gallas, 32, at the end of the year as from January the defender will be free to talk to other clubs.

The Arsenal manager has been impressed with the way Gallas and Vermaelen have developed an understanding in such a short space of time.

"The partnership between William and Thomas Vermaelen has gelled more quickly than I expected," the Arsenal boss said.

"This is for two reasons; first of all, Vermaelen adapted faster, and secondly William fits more comfortably on the right side of a central defence than on the left."

 

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  1. goodluck all 'round. get plenty on the ghana v­ brazil u-20 world cup final later today, including live­ commentary. visit africaplays.come now.

    From Second S, on Fri 16 Oct 11:43AM
  2. It helps that he doesn't hate the guy playing next­ to him!
    Defence is all about communication, so­ it's obvious that if the tension is gone the­ communication would improve.

    Gallas is a quality­ defender, so it's good to see we are now starting­ to get some value out of him.

    From Leigh, on Thu 15 Oct 10:42PM
  3. Hello everyone ...

    From Govind_619, on Tue 13 Oct 1:16PM
  4. Even if Senderos scored five goals for his country, he­ still wouldnt be good enough to play for the Arsenal­ first team you muppet!!!!!! Good to see Gallas has­ sorted his act out this season, he does look like a­ different player this year, especially on the right­ side of defence, plus, he can then link up with his­ french team mate, Sagna!!!
    GO ARENSAL!!!!!!!!!!

    From Dkuhne, on Tue 13 Oct 9:52AM
  5. Senderos scored during his country`s world cup­ qualification. Please give him a chance to play. We­ need to see him playing. Go the Gunners go

    From Henry, on Tue 13 Oct 7:53AM
  6. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Exactly a year bk i saw how professional Gallas was­ when he was caught smoking and then threw his tantrums­ on the pitch...god u Gunners r so short­ sighted.....haha and who can forget Gallas' threats­ at Chelsea to score own goals if he wasn't allowed­ to leave??? I have a good memory and Gallas is an­ unprofessional French @#$% that Platini can sure relate­ to.....

    From Rushad, on Tue 13 Oct 7:53AM
  7. Do you know that Malawi drew 1- 1 with ivory coast on­ the 10th October in Blantyre. Malawi played exactly the­ way Arsenal plays.

    From Henry, on Tue 13 Oct 7:50AM
  8. Senderos scored during his country`s world cup­ qualification. Please give him a chance to play. We­ need to see him playing. Go the Gunners go

    From Henry, on Tue 13 Oct 7:47AM
  9. Gallas, the most professional of all time; Terry, a­ foul-tackler

    From fee21, on Tue 13 Oct 6:35AM
  10. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Wt ur a joke!! Gallas better than Terry?? Don't­ make me laugh.......Terry is the best defender in­ London and one of the best in the league......Gallas­ would play LB for Chelsea some time bk......so good was­ Terry.....learn to compare evenly......even if Gallas­ is in ur team......idiot!

    From Rushad, on Tue 13 Oct 5:34AM
  11. hands down to wenger for letting kolo go to city, now­ gallas can play centre right back which is much­ preferred position and the fact that vermaelen is left­ footed is great
    its in his heart (gallas) hes been tops­ since kolo left, it just shows what bad eggs can do to­ the team and certain players
    kolo is a great player but­ not for our team, same goes to ade
    i just hope wenger­ gives gallas a lengthy contract because i feel theres a­ good few years still left in this guy and most­ importantly..... he can score

    From joffon, on Tue 13 Oct 1:23AM
  12. common gallas i need more play.

    From yemi4_eye, on Mon 12 Oct 11:53PM
  13. Where is Flamini?

    From Ado, on Mon 12 Oct 9:08PM
  14. Both Galles and vermaelen are professionals and knows­ what is expeceted of them,and we can see the result,­ Hats off the both guys,keep up the good work.

    From ICEMAN, on Mon 12 Oct 7:36PM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Gallas or Vermaelen?

    Gallas(thumbs­ up)
    Vermaelen(thumbs down)

    I think Vermaelen is better

    From Ighnaz, on Mon 12 Oct 6:55PM
  16. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    That being said, Wenger is always delighted. Even after­ so many years without any trophy.

    From ffvinz, on Mon 12 Oct 6:25PM
  17. glad gallas was kept. always thought he was the better­ and had a right to voice his opinion although he could­ have used slightly more tact. anyway screw kolo toure­ the mans shitteee anyway. FU*k adeybyhore and his­ mother too. we got ARSHAVEN

    From Alan, on Mon 12 Oct 5:45PM
  18. I wanted Gallas to go before toure but hey we could get­ more money for Toure so...plus since last year i have­ to say Gallas has been very professional about it all­ and i have liked what ive seen from him. Nice one Big G­ and im glad youre a gooner. well worth the swap for­ @#$% hole cole

    From Tom, on Mon 12 Oct 3:43PM
  19. Well done Willy, if it was one of these stupid boys he­ could have jumped the boat but you stayed behind and­ showed, how profesional you are. Just look at Hleb who­ had a permanent place in the team and he ended up at­ stuggart. They are tring to do the same thing to­ Fabregas but he is a cute FOX.

    From ekechukwude, on Mon 12 Oct 3:35PM
  20. Is Gallas better than Terry?
    Yes(thumbs up)
    No(thumbs­ down)

    From Wt, on Mon 12 Oct 3:19PM
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