O'Leary: Wenger did the right thing
Written by Jonathan Chong on Thursday, November 27, 2008
Former Arsenal defender David O'Leary has praised manager Arsène Wenger for doing the right thing in stripping William Gallas of the captaincy and giving it to Francesc Fabregas.
Wenger made the decision last week after a public outcry from Gallas put the integrity of the squad into disrepute.
Fabregas was given the captaincy but instead of sacking Gallas completely, Wenger chose to stick by the Frenchman as a player and put him in the squad to face Dynamo Kyiv.
O'Leary, who as a player made the most appearances for Arsenal, said: "It's been very difficult, but he's handled it fantastically well.
"I think with those decisions in any way if you're a good manager - and we know Arsène Wenger is a great manager - what's happened is bound to happen.
"He was going to lose the captaincy, things were going to be said, obviously between him and Arsène and rightly so.
"The player himself might benefit from not being captain - I don't think he's captaincy material.
"I don't think Arsenal have seen the best of him and that could have a bit to do with Arsenal Football Club themselves, because in my opinion William Gallas is a centre-back, but not a leading centre-back.
"That was the problem; I am sure things needed to be said that should stay in the dressing room, even if certain players don't like it.
"The thing that Arsène Wenger proved on Saturday was yes, Gallas had to be left out, but Arsenal are in such a precarious position at centre-back that they can't afford to lose Gallas there because they've really got no-one else to replace him.
"I've heard people saying there are surprised that Gallas is back in the team, but Arsène Wenger is a shrewd man. I'm not saying he wants to get rid of Gallas, but if he did, this is not the right time. He needs him and he needs him to play. A William Gallas playing well only makes Arsenal a stronger team."
User Comments
2Van Feldman
Posted on 27 Nov, 2008 at 08:15 PM - Reply
great words david. still nervous about toure's future though, i am :S
1john quinn arsenal ireland
Posted on 27 Nov, 2008 at 07:13 PM - Reply
My My long time since we have heard anything from David O`leary about Arsenal....David was a fantastic player for us and a real ambassador for the club ....until he left and sadly things changed...but nice today to see him praising Arsene Wenger
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