Arsène Wenger has re-iterated his belief in the "outstanding
leadership qualities" of William Gallas.
The Arsenal captain is under the spotlight after last week's
game at Birmingham when he watched the home side convert their
controversial injury-time penalty from the other end of the
pitch.
The 30-year-old was perhaps a surprise choice to take the
armband at the start of the season but, according to Wenger, has
responded to the responsibility manfully. Though he did not endorse
the actions of Gallas at St Andrews, the manager give his
compatriot full support.
"Ideally he should not have responded like that," admitted
Wenger at his Friday press conference. "But it was not to blame
anybody.
"He is a guy who is highly committed and sometimes when he goes
overboard he can respond like that. He's an explosive one [and]
when he is fed up, he is fed up.
"We'll keep all [discussions about that] internal. We are a team
who is the most consistent in the League and, as well, we are a
team, because we are young, we don't know exactly how to behave to
look really good. However we are, as well, maybe more genuine. I
know William is not young but he has the commitment of a very young
boy, believe me!
"His leadership qualities for me are outstanding, even if on
that occasion he used his commitment in the wrong way. You want
people in this job who care.
"What I hate the most in this job are people who are always
nicey nice and behave well. But at the end of the day they cheat a
little bit with their commitment. I prefer sometimes a guy who goes
overboard without hurting anybody who cares about winning. That is
William, he cares about winning."