Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
has thrown his support behind much-maligned William Gallas,
insisting that he wants the defender to remain at the Emirates
Stadium.
Gallas was recently stripped of the Arsenal captaincy after
making ill-advised comments about the poor team spirit at the
club.
As a result, speculation has been rife that Wenger will look to
offload the 31-year-old in January, but the Gunners coach is
adamant that he has no such plans.
"My desire is clear - I want him to stay of course," said
Wenger.
"The problem in the modern game is that you always have to fight
against an environment which attempts to destabilise you just by
creating news.
"I cannot fight against that, I can only give what we want
inside the club - we want to keep William with us because he is an
important player in the squad and what other people try to provoke,
or try to put out in the media, we cannot master.
"It does not change my mind and in the end I will decide."
Meanwhile, Wenger's men return to Premier League action boosted
by their victory over Chelsea last weekend.
The result could provide the springboard for an Arsenal revival
after an indifferent start to the season, but with the false dawn
of the Manchester United win fresh in the memory, Wenger knows that
many fans will be looking to the forthcoming Wigan clash as much
more than just three points.
"Many eyes will be turned on Arsenal to see how we respond
tonight," the Frenchman added.
"Let's believe in this team - and I say that to the fans as well
- let's get behind them because they want to do well.
"I believe we have the quality, we have the desire, the talent
and the spirit, so that should make us go into the game tomorrow
with a strong belief."