Vieira fear taking the captain's armband from Gallas
may hurt him.
Patrick Vieira fears that William Gallas may suffer
psychologically if he is relieved of the captain's armband at
Arsenal. The former Chelsea defender was handed the role this
season in the wake of Thierry Henry's departure for Barcelona last
summer.
The early effect of Gallas' leadership skills were initially
hailed as The Gunners enjoyed a blistering start to the 2007/08
campaign. However, an extraordinary act of public emotion from the
Frenchman against Birmingham City in February was followed by a
torrid run of form which saw Arsenal's season crumble around
them.
It has since been claimed that manager Arsene Wenger may relieve
Gallas of his duties; but Vieira believes the decision could result
in the undoing of his compatriot and, in turn, the Arsenal squad.
"I think it has been difficult for him. I have been talking to him
and he has been hurt by the criticism he has received," former
Gunner Vieira said at an event run by Ford's Feel Football debate
website www.feelfootball.com.
"Of course, he had a difficult moment. He is a really strong
player who is committed to the club. He wants to prove that he
deserves to be Arsenal captain, I know he wants to be a successful
captain at Arsenal, and he will do everything he can.
"He is a really emotional person sometimes. He expresses his
feelings and that is why he is so popular on the French national
team. "I hope he stays as captain. I think he is a leader of the
team. He has experience. I think he has the full support of the
players.
"It would have a bad effect on him (if he lost the captaincy)
and everybody else in the team as well. If you had the captaincy
taken off you after a year it would be difficult psychologically to
start the next season not as captain. "He might think about what he
did wrong and think that he lost the manager and the players'
trust. It would be a big blow for him and for the club and
players."
Meanwhile, Vieira also reiterated former Arsenal team-mate
Henry's desire to succeed in Primera Division after it had been
suggested that he could leave Barca following a frustrating debut
term at Camp Nou. "I spoke to him and he said that he was really
happy at Barcelona, and while it was a difficult first year, he is
really happy there," Vieira concluded.
