William Gallas insists he has learned from the experiences of last season and is ready to lead Arsenal in their title quest once again.The Frenchman, who turned 31 on Sunday, was something of a controversial choice to take over the armband following the departure of Thierry Henry in the summer of 2007.

Gallas - signed as part of the deal which saw full-back Ashley Cole head in the opposite direction to Chelsea on August transfer deadline day two years ago - famously lost his composure following what proved to be a pivotal, last-gasp draw at Birmingham when he broke down in the centre circle and then went on to criticise team-mate Theo Walcott in a magazine article.

However, the defender has always received the backing manager Arsene Wenger, who sees Gallas as crucial to the development of the youngsters in the squad.

"I am very pleased to carry on as club captain this season," said Gallas.

"It was my first season as captain last year, and although I am 31 now, I am still learning.

"I really enjoyed the responsibility last season, everyone could see that, and I tried to do the best job I possibly could.

"It was a really positive experience and this season I have to use that, and carry on doing my best for the team.

"I know a lot more about the job now thanks to last season."

Gallas - whose goal helped Arsenal record a 2-0 away win in the first leg of the Champions League qualifier against FC Twente in Holland - believes Arsenal have to set their sights on overhauling both Manchester United and Chelsea.

"It is true that we have the objective of doing better than we did last season, so we have to keep on improving, that has to be our aim," he said.

Summer signing Samir Nasri, still only 21, got his Arsenal career off to a flying start with a debut goal after only four minutes into the Premier League opener against West Brom at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Nasri has been called into the France squad to face Sweden in a friendly in Gothenburg on Wednesday in place of Marseille's Hatem Ben Arfa who is out with an abductor injury.

While Arsenal may not have matched the goal-fest of Chelsea in their first appearance of the new campaign, Gallas believes Wenger's investment in youth again will prove successful.

He said: "We are a young side and some more promising youngsters have come through for this season, but they have all got the quality which you need to have if you play for Arsenal.

"If you play at this club you must be ready to play at the very highest level."

Arsenal travel to Fulham on Saturday for another televised encounter, this time in the late afternoon slot, but will once again be without Cesc Fabregas, who has a hamstring problem and is expected back for the second leg against FC Twente on August 27.

Wenger is still searching for at least one new body to add to his midfield before the transfer windows closes in two weeks.

Suggested targets include Liverpool's Xabi Alonso and also Gareth Barry, of Aston Villa.

However, with both now being cup-tied for Europe until January, the Arsenal manager may again instead look overseas, with Udinese's £8million-rated Switzerland international Gokhan Inler another on the radar of the Arsenal boss.

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