Wenger's highest praise for Gallas

Manager Arsène Wenger has praised the professionalism and mental strength of former captain William Gallas, someone who he stripped of the Arsenal captaincy last season.

Gallas' controversial autobiography took him out of line with club policy and highlighted several rifts within the dressing room, a decision that didn't sit too well with the manager. The former Chelsea player was demoted and midfielder Francesc Fabregas was subsequently made captain.

It was a hard decision to accept, but Gallas maintained his professionalism throughout and has started the new season in stunning fashion, scoring three goals in three games to maintain Arsenal's perfect start to the season.

And it is this attitude that has impressed Wenger, and he now has nothing but praise for his former captain, saying: "I feel it was certainly a big blow to William to lose the captaincy but he has shown his mental strength which I respect a lot and secondly he has worked even harder.

"It was quite an amusing situation because now he's suddenly captain of the French national team and that shows you. He has taken the right attitude which is what you expect from a top-level sportsman.

"What is the most important for me is that he's looking sharp defensively.

"We know that he will score goals, although some of them have been a bit accidental but very helpful. What I mean is that it's not what I expect from him if he doesn't score any more - but as a defender I'm very happy. That's all I want from him."

With Gallas' contract being up for renewal, Wenger says that he has no qualms offering him a new deal. Wenger added: "It's early in the season and we will see later but now he has a big influence in the side."

The cynical amongst us may be wondering if Gallas is putting himself in the shop window, but that's something for the manager to sort out. It would be a shame to lose Gallas but with the age difference between him and Thomas Vermaelen, you'd have to wonder if the future of the Arsenal defence is Vermaelen and someone else (Johan Djourou or Alex Song, I'm looking at you).

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