Birmingham were awarded a last-minute penalty and, in protest at
the decision, Gallas retreated to the halfway line and sat down
sulking.
The result was seen as a pivotal moment in Arsenal's faltering
title bid and Gallas acknowledged he made a mistake with his
actions. He believes some of the criticism aimed in his direction
was unfair, but is confident he still has the backing of his
team-mates to be Gunners skipper.
Gallas told L'Equipe Magazine: "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!"
