Keown: Gallas is not showing enough desire

Written by Jonathan Chong on Saturday, October 4, 2008

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Date Time C Opponent F A R S
30 Sep 7:45 PM CL Fc Porto (H) 4 0 Win
Keown: Gallas is not showing enough desire

Ex-Arsenal defender Martin Keown has criticised captain William Gallas for not showing enough desire and fight in defensive situations.

The Gunners have displayed a lack of cohesiveness when put under pressure at the back and if it weren't for the cross bar or Manuel Almunia, would have gone behind to Porto.

Keown, a member of the famous Highbury back four, believes Gallas must take much of the responsibility.

He said: "Gallas is the one who's getting caught. Opponents are having a greater desire to get to the ball.

"He's a quick, mobile defender but first and foremost what you want him to do is attack the ball.

"It's not coming off and as captain Gallas has to show more desire in such situations."

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User Comments

10

Abu A. Y

Posted on 7 Oct, 2008 at 07:25 PM - Reply

If u say the team should pick the captain, u may likely cause a problem amongs the players and there wount be unity.

9

kukun

Posted on 6 Oct, 2008 at 10:13 AM - Reply

gallas is one problematic player in this team.look at the goal by hull city at corner last two weeks.That why`s Mourinho `The One` don`t want promote Gallas as Centre back at Chelsea. Willie is good but not good enough to command defend line.Willie and Kolo is same type defender-rush the ball but not too wise in commanding defend.Kolo play beside Sol and defend look solid and nature walled.The solutions is Gallas must be replace or wenger must find other pair for Gallas. Gallas can score,can compress midfield,can cross,can be fulback,can adopt any type of congested midfield but he not patient and lack of focus especially in deep ball and wide.Arsenal need sol type but Fernando Mieira is one can pair with Gallas.Patient,focus,bit robust but calm when ball at the air. Gallas-Mieira can be wonderful pair defend in EPL.

8

idokindof

Posted on 6 Oct, 2008 at 02:26 AM - Reply

i like the current flux of players wenger has had coming in and out and different looks he is trying but i agree that gallas has had his time. he does not get in the other players faces nor does he stand up to other teams like cesc does. its time for cesc to take the lead. wenger has has has to do something soon. aslo agree that ade is lacking. too soft lately for me. he loses the ball and does not chase it down like nasri or even vela. wenger will solve that but he desperately needs now to do something about leadership....

7

john leighton

Posted on 5 Oct, 2008 at 10:37 PM - Reply

bendtner is taller than ade

6

polo

Posted on 5 Oct, 2008 at 10:14 PM - Reply

Personally Toure is the best center half at Arsenal and a true gooner. When i saw Gallas playing at Chelsea i thought he was great but he has not been half the player at Arsenal. I don't think he should be Captain but i cant see anyone else who is up to the job. Cesc is to young and not one other player shows the heart of our former captains such as Veira and Adams.

5

OPIRO

Posted on 5 Oct, 2008 at 02:53 PM - Reply

Arsenal has just two problems which i preay should be reectified very soon, problem (1)William Gallas is the weakest link in the defence ,no doubt and problm 2, Adebayor ,this is an attacker that never won a contest on air in sunderland , his first touches are nothing to write home about, ade is taller than bendtner but bendtner won most of the aerial contest can you imagine that? i plead wenger should just play bendtner in some matches and bench ade so he could sit tight .

4

valsenal

Posted on 5 Oct, 2008 at 01:44 PM - Reply

I agree 100% with Keown. Gallas is not committed to Arsenal and thus should be stripped of the captainship.

In Fabregas, we have a true Gunner who ready to lead the team and always lead by example. He should be given the captains arms band. Alternatively, Wenger should let the team pick a captain of their choice.

3

simon_84

Posted on 5 Oct, 2008 at 05:51 AM - Reply

well said mr keown! gallas sometimes play like a up-field player in certain games.

2

delboy

Posted on 5 Oct, 2008 at 02:56 AM - Reply

gallas getting a lot of critisism because he ex chelski. he's been caught a bit but no more than any defender. Toure is the prob in my opinion. Can't head the ball!! loads of heart but not good enough at centre half. After watching against sunderland today, he's not good enough. How many aimless long balls go to waste from toure? just watch for a match and you'll see what i mean. By the way, although i love cesc, he cant take dead ball situations. Never scored direct from free and corners are muck.

1

sebyvee

Posted on 4 Oct, 2008 at 01:31 PM - Reply

truth b told gallas shld conc on his duties,keown shld also sit toure up,he actually has gone ' kolo'(mad in nigeria slang),i am alws afraid wen up balls come.gd luck vs sunderland.dey are goin down

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