Time to end Gallas captaincy
Thu Nov 20 04:50PM
Following William Gallas's revelation of divisions within the Arsenal dressing room, the time has come for Arsenal to find a new skipper. Gallas proved he was not the man for the job at Birmingham last season and his latest outburst has only added more weight to the argument that he should be stripped of the armband.
He was a poor choice of captain even before his infamous sit-in at St Andrews; nine months later and he is million miles from being an ideal leader. He is too much of a disruptive influence.
Arsene Wenger should have acted after the Birmingham game but now he has no choice: Gallas must be ditched as captain - and maybe even offloaded elsewhere in January - if Arsenal's season is not to fall apart.
The last thing Arsenal need - or any team for that matter - is a whistle-blower in the ranks, least of all the man who is supposed to gel the squad together and motivate the players to get the best out of them.
What is said in the dressing room should stay there. If there is a problem, no one else needs to know about it. It is not for public consumption.
Whatever happens needs to be contained there and dealt with in an appropriate way, either at the time or at a later date.
But once it becomes public, you have a big problem on your hands. Now everyone knows that Arsenal's current on-pitch problems - and by that I mean their inconsistency - is not just down to injuries or bad luck or the 'rough-house' tactics employed by opponents.
Their troubles are more deep-seated than that; as a team Arsenal are not united. And considering football is a team game, that will be perceived by opponents as a major weakness.
Gallas has betrayed his team-mates - whatever their faults - by using the international break as an excuse to go to the media and spill the beans.
He may be a vastly experienced player, but some of his decisions beggar belief. Put simply, the latest outburst lacks professionalism.
With the captain's armband comes a certain amount of responsibility for your team-mates. But Gallas has shown no sign of that - he has even admitted he is passing the buck because he does not want to accept the blame any more.
The disruption stemming from this could now have a knock-on effect on the team's performances on the pitch - and with Arsenal struggling to maintain a head of steam this season, that is the last thing they need at the moment.
Arsenal do not need someone like Gallas at the Emirates. In a way he is a selfish player, always looking after number one. His ego is suffocating Arsenal at the moment and not allowing the club to move forward.
Wenger needs to take a long, hard look at the situation and make a decision with the best interests of Arsenal at heart, and not those of individual players.
Yeah congrats Anne. I'm afraid we lost. Again.
From danny_saks on Mon Nov 24 04:29PMAnnie what a goal from Big Mama.
From jay8my on Mon Nov 24 04:29PMdanny my earlier comment was cut off.this is what i said,i'm not sure whether my peace ability can really help ED out but i'll keep on seeing as peace is essential
From jacknfor on Mon Nov 24 04:31PMYou are a campaigner for this sexpile arnt you Bobo still best laugh all day
From anne_helm on Mon Nov 24 04:32PMdo u think so jay?i'll rather have gone for kolo toure.Peace
From jacknfor on Mon Nov 24 04:32PMYeah well we can but try huh Jack. Night Johnny. Same plan tomorrow if everything goes titsup again?
From danny_saks on Mon Nov 24 04:34PMjack - no the captaincy has effected Kolo in the past when hes worn the armband. I think this is a smart move by wenger as i feel it gives cesc a bigger reason to stay and i think he we need players of his quality if were going to stay in the BIG 3 wiv chelsea and man poo.
From jay8my on Mon Nov 24 04:35PMGUTTED bob. I didnt win it but i prevented u from winning it.
From jay8my on Mon Nov 24 04:36PMooooh Bobo you havent worked out the timings yet have you they are different on here back to the drawing board (I have posted 3 responses and they havent gone on)
From anne_helm on Mon Nov 24 04:37PMThe goal Jase was BRILLIANT and no Rory quality football from a quality side
From anne_helm on Mon Nov 24 04:39PMi prevented myself from winning it jay with 3 premature attempts. you prevented everyone else from winning. did ya read this article, what does paul parker know eh!
From kgh_r on Mon Nov 24 04:39PMNew rules for century challenges on Paul's blog the one who gets it has to say 'Stoke are the best team' in the PL and I am a homersexual' 3 times after the century
From anne_helm on Mon Nov 24 04:41PMI would never say you were a homersexual Anne! I still live in hope... ;)
From danny_saks on Mon Nov 24 04:42PMhi FBF
From kgh_r on Mon Nov 24 04:42PMBob - u read my mind what does paul parker know!!
From jay8my on Mon Nov 24 04:43PMHi FBF? Am I missing something here? I cant see a post from him?
From danny_saks on Mon Nov 24 04:43PMlol perhaps I could have phrased that differently Danny very good
From anne_helm on Mon Nov 24 04:44PMHi S_S i totally understand what ur saying but im sure it was the best result for u in the end.
From jay8my on Mon Nov 24 04:45PMAnne i thought you were bi?
From kgh_r on Mon Nov 24 04:47PMYeah sodraggin that was a really good point how are the choppers doing?
From anne_helm on Mon Nov 24 04:47PMok folks i'm heading home.do we meet here tomorrow or we'll 1st have a short stint at our beloved ED?peace
From jacknfor on Mon Nov 24 04:47PMBi curious Bobo
From anne_helm on Mon Nov 24 04:48PMAnne got 200 now. maybe the dog is gettin deleted?
Danny, i sense a scouse millionaire is lurkin out there somewhere.From kgh_r on Mon Nov 24 04:48PMED first I think Jack got to give peace a chance
From anne_helm on Mon Nov 24 04:49PMNow I'm really confused with refs to S_S and sodraggin.
From danny_saks on Mon Nov 24 04:50PMWell done Bobo you have good connections you knew you would win eventually are you sure you dont work for Yahoo?
From anne_helm on Mon Nov 24 04:50PMNo dont let on Jude
From anne_helm on Mon Nov 24 04:51PMwere not scrolling anymore
were not scrolling anymore
were not scrolling, were not scrolling
were not scrolling anymore
From mattymogo on Mon Nov 24 04:54PMED down to 550 comments. ED comment deleter must have deleted 2-3,000 by now. if he's in a union, i'd expect a strike tomorrow.
From kgh_r on Mon Nov 24 04:54PMS_S - i know i think dannys ignoring u lol
From jay8my on Mon Nov 24 04:54PM
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