Gallas: Arsenal Don't Yet Have Winning Culture

Arsenal’s 2-2 draw at Birmingham City last February was seen as a defining moment in their season, but it has also become a defining moment in the career of captain William Gallas - who has spoken about it again, stressing that his reaction to the last-minute loss of points was over-criticised and born of frustration at the lack of a winning mentality among his young team-mates.

William Gallas has admitted he has had to reassert his authority as captain of Arsenal after ‘flipping his lid’ at the end of the Gunners’ 2-2 draw at St Andrews earlier this year.

That visit to Birmingham on 23rd February was a traumatic affair for the Gunners, who went into the game looking to extend their lead at the top of the table to eight points, if only briefly. In the opening minutes striker Eduardo suffered an horrific compound fracture of his left leg in a wild red-carded lunge by Martin Taylor, and the shocked visitors fell behind to a James McFadden free-kick from just outside the area on 28 minutes.

But after the interval Arsenal rallied and Theo Walcott fired them ahead with two goals in five minutes. They created but squandered chances to increase their lead until, in stoppage-time, Gael Clichy was controversially adjudged to have tripped substitute Stuart Parnaby in the area, despite making contact with the ball. McFadden coolly despatched the resultant penalty and Blues snatched a draw from the jaws of an Arsenal victory. It heralded a run of three more draws and a defeat that cost the Gunners ther Premier League title.

But the Birmingham game became notorious not only for Taylor’s tackle but also the behaviour of Gallas. He had been handed the captain’s armband by Arsene Wenger following Thierry Henry’s departure for Barcelona, but his leadership was called into question at St Andrews.

In protest at the late penalty, Gallas retreated to the halfway line and sat down in a sulk, remaining there long after the final whistle.

Gallas acknowledges his actions were a mistake. He feels some of the criticism he received was unfair, but believes he still has the backing of his team-mates as skipper.

Gallas told L'Equipe Magazine today: "The controversy about my captaincy? People had to find a scapegoat as we didn't win any trophies last season.

"So, they talked and talked again about the Birmingham match. Indeed I made a mistake. I must admit I flipped my lid. We should have won that game easily.

"Before Arsenal, I spent six years at Chelsea. That team was capable of getting ugly wins. If we had an opportunity to win a cup, we would never miss it.

"There I became imbued with the winning culture, which doesn't exist yet at Arsenal.

"Of course, some of my Arsenal team-mates could not have appreciated my behaviour against Birmingham.

"I had to state my authority again and today when I motivate them before a match, they say; 'Capi, we need you, we are following you'.

"If I would have been an unworthy captain, they would have banned me.

"The critics went much too far. Maybe I put myself under too much pressure, like Arsene Wenger said.

"I believed I had a message to give to my team-mates and I could not find the right words.

"Our game made people dream, but we had empty hands. We have to show a more clinical state of mind. At the end of last season there was such a frustration inside me!"

As everyone has said, the maximum # of goals which we conceded were due to gallas. Instead of blaming the team for not having the winning mentality, he should improve himself . Still if we keep losing then he can say what he said now.

get rid of gallas as captain

Seaney wrote:get rid of gallas as captain

True, i feel kolo toure will make a better captain.

Fabregas04 wrote:As everyone has said, the maximum # of goals which we conceded were due to gallas. Instead of blaming the team for not having the winning mentality, he should improve himself . Still if we keep losing then he can say what he said now.

Exactly Its good now that he has been sacked. OMG what the hell was that day when he was brought in with a free transfer of Cole to Chelsea. The Team improved day by day after Gallas left Chesea He He He