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According to both Sky Sports and BBC, William Gallas has been stripped of the Arsenal captaincy following his comments about his teammates. Gallas has also not travelled to tomorrow's game with Manchester City...

William Gallas Loses Captaincy, Fans Want Cesc Fabregas to Replace Him

by Martin Bentley (Scribe)

4

772 reads

Editorial

November 21, 2008

World Football, EPL, Arsenal, Cesc Fabregas , William Gallas, Editorial

According to both Sky Sports and BBC, William Gallas has been stripped of the Arsenal captaincy following his comments about his teammates. Gallas has also not travelled to tomorrow's game with Manchester City.

Arsenal have not as yet confirmed the news, but fans have been debating who should replace Gallas as captain. A poll on the Daily Mail website suggests a slightly surprising front-runner, but someone who would make a brilliant captain: Cesc Fabregas.

At 21 years old, Fabregas would be a very young captain in the Premier League. Regardless, he's been in the Arsenal side for four years now, and has made over 200 appearances for the club to date. From his position in the middle of the pitch, he can relay instructions to the attack and the defence.

Perhaps being given the responsibility that comes with the captaincy might ensure that he'll remain at the club for years to come, amid the ever-present speculation that he will return to Barcelona.

Other candidates for the captain's armband include:

•Kolo Toure, who is Arsenal's current longest serving player, and who many felt should have been given the captaincy before Gallas. 

•Gael Clichy, who along with Toure is the only survivor from "The Invincibles," but who would be a bit out of position at left back to be a captain.

•Robin van Persie, who many feel can't even control himself, let alone control a whole team.

•Mikael Silvestre, who's only just joined the club.

Manuel Almunia has also been suggested for the role, but I can only recall Dino Zoff and Peter Shilton being good goalkeeper-captains, and perhaps Peter Schmeichel as well.

So it looks to be down to Fabregas and Toure to lead Arsenal.

Toure would be a solid choice, but there could be resentment playing alongside Gallas. Fabregas may be too young, but Tony Adams became Arsenal captain at 21, and he remained captain for 14 years.

Having Fabregas lead Arsenal until 2022 would be a dream come true for many Arsenal fans.

Author Poll

Who should be the new Arsenal captain?

  • Cesc Fabregas
  • Kolo Toure
  • Gael Clichy
  • Robin van Persie
  • Manuel Almunia
  • Other
vote to see results
Author Poll Results

Who should be the new Arsenal captain?

  • Cesc Fabregas

    73.3%
  • Kolo Toure

    15.8%
  • Gael Clichy

    5.0%
  • Robin van Persie

    2.0%
  • Manuel Almunia

    4.0%
  • Other

    0.0%
  • Total votes: 101
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comments (4) write a comment »

  1. Bill Gallas is just trying to get himself kicked out of arsenal and i won't be surprised If AC milan announce the sigining of a young talented French Centre Back from arsenal in the next or the coming summer transfer window!

  2. i really think that Gallas has never deserved the armband and Arsenal is paying for making him that important. I also believe that his signing wasn't well thought, it was just a matter of the board showing of that they are making the effort of spending money in recruiting well known players, because if it was just down to Wenger, he would never thought of spending that much money on him.

    1. We didn't spend money for him - Chelsea paid £5 million plus Gallas for Ashley Cole.

  3. i think cesc is to young at the moment. He already looks like he has alot of pressure on him, his form this season has been so so, has he hasnt hit the heights of last season, that be perhaps because of the departure of flamini but i think to much pressure with the armband could potentially ruin him. wait a few years, give it to kolo for a year or two.

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