At this time last year, we had a very disgruntled senior player who was going out of his way to criticize Arsenal and Arsene Wenger over his transfer policy. William Gallas was a player who thrust himself into the spotlight right after Thierry Henry left to join Barcelona.
Henry was never going to make a great captain – he almost became captain by default. He was a forward who couldn’t see the entire picture from where he was and so all in all, it was not the best idea to nominate him to the post of captain.
But, when we were all expecting either one of Kolo Toure or Gilberto Silva to be named as captain before the beginning of the last season, Wenger surprised us all by nominating Gallas for the post. Many felt that he was making Gallas happy, and that this was the only way that he could keep “star defender” Gallas at the club.
Either way, the decision split us almost down the line and many of us felt that Gallas, with his experience and nous of winning titles with Chelsea could have a positive impact on the team – and that was right up until February when Gallas threw a tantrum at St.Andrew’s and behaved like a 2-year-old.
It was quite strange, because at the time, I was more enraged about us conceding the penalty. Why William Gallas was so furious (or being such a cry baby) was something which only he knows. Apparently, he had been to Bacary Sagna’s brother’s funeral a few days before that fateful day in Birmingham and well, the events that ensued just pushed him over the edge.
Whatever the reason was, he behaved unprofessionally. Wenger, like he does with pretty much every Arsenal player, defended Gallas in the press but it is rumoured that he gave him a dressing down in the dressing room for his petulant behaviour.
But, I’m still skeptical about how the press blew the whole thing out of proportion by saying that it hindered our chances of winning the title. It was one game; we beat AC Milan soon afterwards, so the actual effects of this incident had been exaggerated.
Many people even said that William Gallas did his “pre-match pep talk” for the cameras. That to me was pathetic – I watched most of the Arsenal games last year and Gallas didn’t do anything differently after “that” incident.
Today, William Gallas seems to be a much quieter person for some reason. Maybe he has been ordered to keep his mouth shut or maybe he thinks that opening his mouth might just open a can of worms. Either way, I see nearly every player from Arsenal coming out to the press and saying something except William Gallas.
Last season, we lead the Premiership table for most of last season but bottled it towards the end. It would be very easy for us to blame William Gallas or Phillipe Senderos even for us to go trophy less – but this is a team sport. Nobody seemed to take the step up when the chips were down and so I think that everyone, including Arsene Wenger was at fault for us not winning anything last season.
I expect William Gallas to be retained as captain this season, and I’m sure that he’s learned a lot from last season’s experience with the team and the press. He should be able to handle himself in a much better fashion and even though I would personally like Kolo Toure to be named as captain, doing that today might just destabilize Arsenal.
So, I expect William Gallas to continue as our captain as we get ready for a long season where Arsenal football club simply have to win some silverware.
Tags: arsenal, captain, Gallas, Senderos, skipper, toure, Wenger
July 31, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Old Bill will have to be a leader this season. I have no doubt that he will have learned from his mistakes.
July 31, 2008 at 4:25 pm
It’s only sensible, but I think the real captain within the team is Fabregas. You don’t need the armband to be a leader! Getting it is a bonus.
According to to Gary Lewin, Dennis Bergkamp was the most influential player during his time with Arsenal because of his professionalism.
Cesc has a lot in common with the Dutchmaster in terms of professionalism. Another good example would be Gilberto, I think even if he was on the bench.. his attitude towards the club, manager and colleagues ought to be recognized. These are true leaders, who lead despite not having the armband.
July 31, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Gallas is clearly very proud to be captain and really wants to hang on to the role. Not only has he acknowledged that he made mistakes and wants to do better this season, he has also denied any interest in moving to PSG and has spoken in glowing terms about how happy he is to be back with his team mates. Last season he was clamouring for experienced signings. This season he is saying he trusts Wenger and is very confident this team can deliver. Quite a turnaround from last summer and just the positive message you need from your club captain.
July 31, 2008 at 4:32 pm
I Didn’t blame him when he got angry at St. Andrews. At least he cares about Arsenal. Most people are like “Who cares I’m still rich” but he wasn’t.
July 31, 2008 at 4:38 pm
I must say i was in a similar state after that game..
July 31, 2008 at 4:51 pm
He channelled his anger in the wrong way but I admired his passion and will to win – it was an exceptionally bad day and the bad ref decision in the end was scandalous – Willy could see that the FA officials were rolling over for Sir Alex
July 31, 2008 at 5:01 pm
The boy is passionate…he atleast showed that he loves the role and the club.I dont blame him for that bermingham game.The reason we lost the al those points towards the end was because of the eduardo injury, and also rosicky and van being absent.Ade ran out of steam but this coming season we have many strikers vying a starting place.I love the competition at the club now
July 31, 2008 at 5:02 pm
His actions were poor and displayed a perceived weakness within our make-up. However, a lot had happened. The pressure cooker of not being able to release the shackles, with the chasing pack refusing to be broken, the continuous injuries undermining our challenge and an awful, quite unbearable injury to Eduardo, left an emotional man with the world on his shoulders, in charge of a squad who were not sure how to find the finishing line.
Gallas broke and was not the captain or man we needed him to be. He had scored late winners and equalisers, but at that moment, the pressure got to him and his actions whether a concession of the title or not could be perceived as such. He deserves another chance, not least because the other candidates are not obvious, but also because he made a mistake and now he has acknowledged it. This squad needs an old head, that he is. Whether we accept him back is irrelevant, if those youngsters can, that is what matters.
July 31, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Fabregas should get the captani’s armband after him and King Kolo should be vice-captain!
July 31, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Agreed Mouhsin, I’d like Fabregas to be given a chance to captain the side.
July 31, 2008 at 5:46 pm
We must save the bargaining chip of Arsenal captaincy until Fab is being seriously courted by the scum of Europe
July 31, 2008 at 6:06 pm
sad but true
July 31, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Clichys been around for ages and he is one of few men to come out this summer and tell of his loyality to Arsenal despite Italian clubs
offering big paypacks.
To you Gael and your team mate Cesc and the gone and not forgotten Gilberto Silva ,i say Thank You for your loyalty in a very
greedy and Corrupt football fantasy world
July 31, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Way to soon to put the additional burden of captaincy on Cesc, at barely 21 let’s allow him to grow up some more. As an earlier response said, Cesc leads by example on and off the field,
Although I love Toure to death, I am not certain he has the required leadership abilities to perform as a captain, ala Thierry Henry.
The logical fit this season is Gallas. He is the wise old head with championship pedigree from his days at Chelsea and internationally with France. Having admitted his mistakes from last year, his first ever as a captain, he is now poised to be the glue which can hold this young team together over this long and arduous season.
Clichy has demonstrated maturity, desire, dedication and leadership way beyond his years and should also be in the mix further down the line.
July 31, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Interesting points CaribKid, Clichy doesn’t sound or appear to be a captain kind of figure but you never know, in a few seasons time Gael could be leading the team out!
July 31, 2008 at 8:29 pm
One thing is obvious to me. Gallas could be the only player in the side who will play out his career in an Arsenal jersey. Perhaps he can prove to the younger players that loyalty is still a true value of a professional footballer…. and if Gallas is willing to do it, then let’s stick by him and support him and the Captain and leader on the field… We want to win the Pemiership and he has done this. Everyone deserves a second chance… Anyone remember when Michael Thomas missed a sitter on THAT special night in 1989???? What did he do….? He went up again and had another go… and second the greatest ever title win in history…. Need I say more???
July 31, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Gooner Chris – I must say your ‘blogs’ out the plethera bollox out there make the most sense to me buddy. Keep it up & fuck Arshavin by the way, just gloat about villa because I am….Gids..
July 31, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Should have read the ‘Plethera OF bollox – hey ho – keep the faith, we are in for Zum magic this season…Gids.
July 31, 2008 at 10:11 pm
i persnonally dont think gallas is the real captain off the team.toure is the one that should be the captain,and another thing ,he was playing much better when he was the captain.anyway gallas to weak to be the one ,he makes a lot off mistakes so i think he is much more nervos beeing captain.
July 31, 2008 at 10:14 pm
did realy ade playd so bad.i didndt saw the game,only the goals.this kid wilshere he is something,i think he deserves a chance,very mature for his age.dont you think that lppol made the most stupid transfer by buyng keane.why didnt the tooked villa or berbatov,so idiots.or many others.
July 31, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Cheers Gids
August 1, 2008 at 12:47 am
Good article and that and some good points raised in the comments section.
Good to see I’m not the only one who’s thinking about Mr Clichy as our next captain (not this coming season). The guy has a fantastic attitude, has incredible ability, is a model professional, is totally loyal to Arsenal and above all else when we aren’t doing too well he, like Toure was doing until his off season last year, picks up the ball deep in our own half, and carries it at pace and makes things happen. It’s a superb quality to have, because all the quality in the world doesn’t make up for a lack of ability to lift the team with a barnstorming run like he and Toure so love to do when it’s not working out. The crowd get excited and the players around them all start to wake up and step up a gear. Fantastic player.
August 1, 2008 at 5:40 am
My hope is that he simply figured it out. The captain has no business criticizing the club, coach or any other player. Hopefully, he will have learned something from Gilberto who would simply shut up and get on with it. The boss asks you to do something (like play out of position, accept the sale of player), you don’t whine about it – it sets a poor example and starts others doing the same.
Something happened to him at Birmingham and we will never know exactly what it was. Everybody has a breakdown of some sort in their lives. Unfortunately, his could not have come at a worse time. Regardless, if the Boss has chosen him as captain, we (as fans) should try to support him and stop trying to rub that awful day in his face every chance we get. It’s not going to make him a better captain. It is only going to make his job more difficult.
August 1, 2008 at 5:46 am
I just reread my post – please don’t think that I’m talking about the article or any of the previous posts. It just seems that every time Gallas is mentioned, so it the Birmingham game. Not pointing fingers at anyone in particular.
August 1, 2008 at 6:35 am
I can’t remember Gallas ever whining about his position at Arsenal. Anyway, he’s the sensible choice as captain. He’ll learn from last year and be better for it. You’ve got to realise that most people aren’t natural leaders, and it does take experience to get good at it. And just because you’re a great defender doesn’t mean you’ve got it in you to persuade 10 other grown men run around a chilly London paddock.
Anyway, there aren’t any stand-out replacements. Cesc’s not ready; he should concentrate on his own game first. Toure’s not spiky enough to needle performanaces out of our guys. Clichy looks like an alien.Rosicky’s always injured. Sagna’s too new. van Persie carpools with Rosicky to the physios. Who else is there?
August 1, 2008 at 6:37 am
I can’t remember Gallas ever whining about his position at Arsenal. Anyway, he’s the sensible choice as captain. He’ll learn from last year and be better for it. You’ve got to realise that most people aren’t natural leaders, and it does take experience to get good at it. And just because you’re a great defender doesn’t mean you’ve got it in you to persuade 10 other grown men run around a chilly London paddock.