Has Gallas played his last game for Arsenal?
One of the first things I would do, if I could be in Arsène Wenger’s shoes this month, is sell William Gallas.
Talking with fellow Addicts after last Saturday’s win over Plymouth, I agreed that he has come up with some vital goals this season and that when he is on form, he is probably our best defender.
But he fact is, Gallas is hot and cold. Sometimes he plays like a real warrior, other times (Birmgham away for instance), he sulks and shows none of the authority a player in his position should exhibit - regardless of whether he is captain or not.
Just look at the tackle he made in the second half against Aston Villa which let the home team back into the game.
It was the tackle of an infant and left us scrambling for our lives and then lamenting a missed opportunity when simply shepherding his opponent out would have probably killed the game.
While Kolo Toure has been a shadow of his former self ever since the African Nations’ Cup, he is much younger than Gallas, plays in a similar manner and has the heart of the club deeply engrained in him.
There has been much speculation that the Ivorian doesn’t get on with Gallas and will be on his way, but I know who I’d rather keep and it’s not Gallas.
Rows go on at all clubs – but the fact is that you don’t hear about them.
The fact that Gallas went public and criticised his team-mates will also have left a scar and too many of them are too young to be able to move on from it.
Remember, it’s clear to see that Arsène Wenger doesn’t have a lot of money at the moment – and getting rid of a player who is one of the club’s top earners must make economic as well as tactical sense.
Sadly, the injury that will rule Gallas out for much of the rest of January could hamper any possible move away from the club – which must have been considered even if Wenger has denied it.
Some have suggested that we should bring Big Phil Senderos back from his loan at AC Milan, but I have it on good authority that he has not been a success in Italy.
When he played the second half against Hamburg this week during a friendly in Dubai, he was booed amid chants of “Go back to Arsenal”. It can’t help that he replaced Paolo Maldini. Even at 103, the Italian legend is a better player than Senderos.
I still hold out hope that Wenger realises he needs a new defender and for all the reasons I’ve given, selling Gallas makes the most sense.
Who to replace him? If not Fulham's Brede Hageland, how about Real Madrid outcast and Germany international Christoph Metzelder, or Dorin Goain from Steau Bucharest who has all the tackling, heading and passing ability we need...
What do you think? Should we cash in on Gallas or keep him until the end of the season?
DA
Reader Comments (7)
well Clichy's mistakes has lead to goals in Birmingham, spurs games and Kolo's tackle has lead to a penalty in the CL against Liverpool.
we all make mistakes if we have beaf with gallas we say so and not use one or two incidents to slaughter him
I agree, although Gallas does seem to have some support from fellow players, which I find odd. However, if anything else, we need to freshen up the team and a new CB to play next to Djourou could do it. I would prefer to see someome strong and focussed on defending, rather than a great passer who can recover by using speed, which I think is AW's normal train of thought. I will mention these as examples: Tony Adams, Steve Bould, Sol Campbell & Martin Keown, none of which were particularly quick or great passers. Of course there are not many to choose from, but maybe Upson or Hageland will fit in nicely thank you and hope we try and get him.
More importantly is that Silvestre is out injured. This player has been a liability for us more than Gallas. Why Arsene signed him I do not know.
If it's a straight choice, I would probably let Gallas go but I would prefer to keep them both as they're both great defenders. As for the pen against Villa, yes he made the mistake of letting Scabby Agbonladive get goal side of him but was pushed off the ball as he made the tackle and was fully extended before the guy decided to go over.
Never a pen IMO...Much like the Clichy and Kolo pens against Brum and Pool...for me, neither was a pen. We need to get away from thinking it's our job to analyse isolated incidents and leave that to Wenger. Every team conceeds goals but their fans dont hammer them for it.
C'mon you gunners
let's sell all our defenders.
I am pleased that finally someone somewhere sees the light. I have been very keen on Gallas's every move and positioning on the field and I completely agree with you. The guy just looses it when he is on the field. The AStn Villa,birmingham games not forgeting Aliadiere's header. For Gallas to play he has to have someone to cover for his mistakes and not an equally responsible CD as it ought to be. I see why Mourinho never played him in the CD. Please let us get a Responsible CD with good timing and quick respond. he can score,yes but if the opponents were to take the chances due to his lapses. We would score 3 but concede 4. I'd rather Toure remain than Gallas-we know since the arrival of Gallas Toure's game went under.But given more matches he can give us what we've known him best for.I Love Arsenal
At least with Gallas we know his heart and soul is in the club. His pure dedication and experience is something Arsenal needs right now. Replacing him for another player at this stage will just weaken the side even further.