Gallas’ words reveal a club in torment (21/11)

[gooner.ed]

http://www.onlinegooner.com/editorial/index.php?id=134

usual thread starter… for the last time! mike francis has told me I can save time in future by just letting anyone who wants to comment on pieces start threads themselves so it’s one less thing I have to worry about. So after this one, I’ll be doing a sticky at the top of this page and if anyone wants to start the ball rolling on a piece, then take it away.

So thanks in advance to quartzgooner!

(also a good way of preventing me spending too much of the working day in this very addictive place)

[Redexpress]

My first thought when this came out was, indeed, this might be the excuse needed to relieve Gallas of the armband, or indeed his jersey.

It doesn't come across as a call to arms, more like a "I'm nearly at the end of my career, get me out of here".

If Kolo was fit I'd say start him and Djourou on saturday. Maybe Djourou and Sylvestre.

As far as I can make out there are two 25 year olds at the club; Eboue and RvP. I know who my moneys on as the moody moaner.

All said and done we desperately need 3 points this weekend.

[Nice_Guy]

Great article. You couldnt be more right when you say that team togetherness plays a massive part. Last season when we scored & the silly celebrations came out, that was so pleasing to see. You knew they were in it together & that is massive in football. We score this season & they celebrate on their own.

[Rob]

Fine article Kev. As you say, it comes back to Wenger.

Will he act ?

Will he knock heads together ?

Will he seek to bring in the three - at least - players we are crying out for ?

I am not hopeful on any of the above !!

[Alex in Wengerland]

What have you got against school children - you insult them twice in your otherwise excellent article

It is no wonder the Chelski fans were so pleased to get rid of him. He isn't just havin a go at the Arsenal players but has now also badmouthed other Bleus. Defies belief really.

[stixx]

Fine article Kev. As you say, it comes back to Wenger.

Will he act ?

Will he knock heads together ?

Will he seek to bring in the three - at least - players we are crying out for ?

I am not hopeful on any of the above !!

You are 100% right that this is ALL down to Wenger, and like the pussy he is, he will do nothing!

At least Gallas let us know what we all knew before that there is something going dreadfully wrong at Arsenal.

Gallas may have gone overboard but, there is not a single other player at the club that is a leader and I include Cesc in that as well (where was he last week, in that terrible performance??), I mean you cant expect him to Captain the side when he is having his worst season at the club, due to Wenger, choosing not to strengthen the side.

One thing though, most gooners think it is up to the Captain to rally the troops, solve squables etc, and to an extent I aggree BUT....BUT this is mainly the managers (Wengers) job. He is the one who cant handle any disharmony (eg. which resulted in the selling of Diarra), so he sticks his head in the sand (or up his ar*e) and spouts a lot of bollocks during every interview.

I have been saying this since 2004, I think Wenger is a really good coach, BUT I think he is a poor Manager of people, he couldnt hope to hold a candle to other Managers (who can manage people) like Fergusmoan and Mourinho.

[proudtosaythatname]

Good on Wenger for finally biting the bullet and sacking Gallas. I understood Wiily's feelings at Birmingham in Feb - surely no one could think clearly after that horrendous incident - but if a captain slags off his teammates in public it's better he's relieved of the responsibility as he will have lost the last vestige of their support.

I think Clichy would make the best captain but Wenger may pick Fabregas in order to keep him - why otherwise would Cesc stay in this mess? If that happens there is a danger of another Henry debacle, though I do see Cesc as very level-headed and would be happy if he gets the nod.

At the moment the glass - or should it be galass - is half empty but by tomorrow it may be half full again. This whole situation may have been just what was needed to get this simmering volcano to erupt.

[begeegs]

I have to wonder a little if there wasn't some sort of pre-meditation in this.

We had a rumour a few days ago suggesting a link with Van Buyten, Djourou praise on the official site and Alumunia (who probably will get the captaincy) coming out with some comments on the site as well all in the course of about 1 week. Then off to international duty and Gallas comes up with these quotes which to me suggests that perhaps that there has been a bid accepted by Arsenal from the French league. I seem to wonder if perhaps the steam has been let off by Gallas because he already knew that there was something in the works, etc....

Or maybe I am reading into things too much....

[QuartzGooner]

Thanks Gooner.Ed, always happy to start a thread if you are happy for me to do so, but others have been busy with that too!

Wen people say Wenger has lost the dressing room, they should substitute Wenger in that sentence for Gallas.

The look's on the player's faces when he gave that on pitch pre match team talk last season said it all.

They felt alienated from him.

He might make a great manager, but as a captain he was perhaps too old and too individual to be a success.

Shame, because he is still the best central defender at the club.