Gallas named new Arsenal captain

In a surprising move, Arsène Wenger has named William Gallas as Arsenal's new captain.

It had been widely expected that Gilberto, last season's vice-captain, would succeed Thierry Henry as Gunners' skipper. Some media sources had even prematurely reported that Gilberto had been confirmed as Arsenal captain.

However Wenger has overlooked the Brazilian midfielder for a player who joined Arsenal from Chelsea less than one year ago.

Gilberto and Kolo Touré have been named as vice-captains.

"[The captain] will be William Gallas," Wenger confirmed. "There will also be two vice-captains, Kolo Touré and Gilberto.

"I feel centre back is always the best position to lead on the pitch and it is Gallas who has more experience at the back. But Gilberto has always been a great captain and Kolo Touré has a stature too.

"As well I made a decision that I want all those experienced players, along with Jens Lehmann, to be involved off the pitch. Players like Jens and Gilberto can play the role of a club captain. They can have a very strong impact mentally on the team. I want them to take on that responsibility."

The announcement will be sure to divide fans, who remember that it was barely one month ago that Gallas was criticising Wenger's mangerial policy.

Gallas said at the time: "Today I am at Arsenal but I do not know what can occur tomorrow — it all happens so quickly in the world of football. Several players are questioning the club's future. I am not at Arsenal to play for third place."

However, he has recently changed his tune, stating his belief in the team.

"As far as I'm concerned they will be ready this season," Gallas said. "I realised that during pre-season. What I saw during the tournaments - against Paris St-Germain, Inter, Ajax and Lazio - it was different.

"The spirit was different. Everybody fought for his team-mate and when you see that you realise. I don't know why it's changed but something clearly has. I can't call them 'the kids' - they're not kids any more - but the young players really want to win a trophy.

"They don't want people to keep saying Arsenal are just young kids. When I train with them I don't see them as young kids any more. I see only players who are ready to fight this season."

User Comments

dele

Posted on 10 Aug, 2007 at 10:59 AM - Reply

I really think AW is being nepotic Patrick is french, henry is french, now Gallas also french. IT's really dissappointing Gilberto didn't get the band. shame!!!

Arselona

Posted on 10 Aug, 2007 at 08:17 AM - Reply

A real fighter in my opinion.Gilberto is a good captain, but the best captain is one who is not afraid to speak his mind and is capable of rallying his troops.Good choice in my view but him staying free of injury will show if he is really a good choice.

verone

Posted on 10 Aug, 2007 at 07:33 AM - Reply

yes--it is a good move--a center back can lead the team from 'behind'; you dont have to look far ro see the successes other center back captains' teams have had (john terry & chelsea for example).. HOWEVER--i think after just 1 season--it is showing too much confidence in gallas--and it is making him a much more important player than he is--he is too new in the team to be captain already--kolo toure would have been my pick--however gallas is a wise decision knowing Wenger

gunnerbabe

Posted on 10 Aug, 2007 at 07:28 AM - Reply

maybe gallas can give use that steel and swanger that we have lacked we have just sold henry mr every1s friend pretty football but we win nothing gallas isnt liked but is respected and thats all u need in a captain a european and world cup winner isnt hardly a disatater

Rombosia

Posted on 10 Aug, 2007 at 06:39 AM - Reply

Not the whiner!!

Wenger has gone senile. Come end of season, we'll be having another captain crying to leave. I'm totally disappointed!!

Gilberto, Kolo, Cesc, Lehmann, and then maybe, just maybe, Gallas.

The guy doesn't even believe in the team, the young players don't like or trust him, Y woild you make him captain??

I give up! We're doomed. The dressing room is going to be chaotic!

vincs

Posted on 10 Aug, 2007 at 04:04 AM - Reply

you need one who is a fighter and vocal.

ganda

Posted on 10 Aug, 2007 at 02:42 AM - Reply

bullshit me thinks. very bad decission giving the captainship to a whiner , he'll be gone in two years max so i dont really care. absolutely gutted though.

liaogz

Posted on 10 Aug, 2007 at 02:35 AM - Reply

this is a real bad move...

Aussie Fan

Posted on 10 Aug, 2007 at 02:02 AM - Reply

De Ja Vu, French Player comes out Complains about not signing Stars and criticise the team and Club and they get Armband as a reward. That Stinks Gilberto or Toure should have been Clear Cut Choices. When was the last time we ever saw them criticise the Club and Players through their Website? They are getting Older as well, they want to win as much as these Guys but they are real Warriors, and keep it within. I Would not be surprised if we sold Gilberto in Jan, because he would prolly want to leave after this latest set back. As the cases go for Defensive midfielders, he is in the top 3 in his pos, If he leaves we would be once again exposed!! Unless we buy a straight Swap, in Aussie Vinnie Grella he is a Great Defensive MF , but only if Gilberto as i anticipate leaves!

malta gooner

Posted on 10 Aug, 2007 at 01:38 AM - Reply

maybe this will help to make him shut up and concentrate on playing football!!!!!!!!!!

Josh

Posted on 9 Aug, 2007 at 11:44 PM - Reply

stroke of genius? care to explain how? personally, with what little i know from outside the club, it seems a horrible humiliation to Toure and Bertie. but we don't know what goes on behind the scenes, maybe there's good reason behind this madness. is anyone seeing the whole 3 french captains in a row pattern here?

dennis-fred

Posted on 9 Aug, 2007 at 10:40 PM - Reply

a good choice, he is a firey player, who commands respect, i am quite suprised that gilberto didnt get it and to be honest kolo, but ultimately we have several leaders on the pitch.
give it a couple of years and cesc will have the armband, its got to happen, we've just got to keep him!!!

Bill

Posted on 9 Aug, 2007 at 10:39 PM - Reply

Has he just done it to try and keep him at the club. Kolo a better choice for me but what do i know.

Red

Posted on 9 Aug, 2007 at 08:42 PM - Reply

It should have been gilberto, although gallas's ego probably demanded it!

Alek

Posted on 9 Aug, 2007 at 08:18 PM - Reply

i would generally go with some one who has had more time with a club, before he becomes captain. Wenger chose Gallas so he would stay, and that was good for Arsenal. Toure isn't a leader all over teh field like Gallas. Gilberto could be a leader? Fabregas would have been the best choose of a leader but I would rather have Gallas stay than leave

gooner_atheart

Posted on 9 Aug, 2007 at 07:31 PM - Reply

your kidding me mr. arsene. here is a player who said the kids arent good enough. you arent good enough, the club aint big enough. moaning, whining and what not..
there are players like kolo and gilberto who silently listened to whatever you said, played in whichever position you put them in, with whichever team mates you gave them.

No chance for loyalty in Arsenal FC ?

What kind of message is this sending out to the players and the fans? Moaners and whiners are to made captains?

Dont give me stupid logic about two vice captains and bullshit like that. jens , gilberto..

cant you say it straight that your selling Gilberto... next year if not this. Remember 05/06 ? if you sell him this year its going to be that season all over again.

Grantski

Posted on 9 Aug, 2007 at 07:29 PM - Reply

I was hoping Gallas would get it. He said some dumb things but he has real passion to win and thats what we need. Henry lost that and didnt cope with the pressure on his shoulders too well, he is more of a one man band. Gallas is the sort of person that would scream at a defender for missing an easy challange, ie what our back 4 need right now. I do agree Gilberto or Toure would have been good but they are too much like nice guys, you need someone with abit of steel in thier personality and the one person that springs to mind is Gallas, grumpy old sod but it has to be him :) I do believe Wenger has pulled the rabbit from the hat with this one.

Oh no

Posted on 9 Aug, 2007 at 04:59 PM - Reply

Oh no - Wengers done it again. First Le Shrug, now Le Winge ... Gilberto, Toure, Cesc....all better choises.

Ra`

Posted on 9 Aug, 2007 at 04:29 PM - Reply

Gallas is good enough I think...

Buds

Posted on 9 Aug, 2007 at 04:27 PM - Reply

Stroke of genius

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