Fa Barclaycard Premiership News Update

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News
( 20 November 2008 )

English Premiership football News

Arsenal not brave enough - Gallas
Arsenal captain William Gallas has warned the Gunners' young stars they are not brave enough "to challenge for the Fa Barclaycard Premiership title.

Saturday 2-0 defeat by Aston Villa four in total losses for Arsenal this term, leaving them nine points Adrift Chelsea and Liverpool.

And 31-year-old Gallas said: "We are not brave enough to fight.

"I think we must be soldiers. To be champions, you have to play big matches every weekend and fight."

Speaking to the Associated Press, he added: "We are coming against teams that are not afraid to play football against us, who are not afraid to take on us in our place, and it becomes dangerous for Arsenal.

"We have to be warriors. This is how the team will shape their character and experience."

France Gall has been subject to strict controls as staff captain of Arsenal, most recently receiving criticism after being photographed leaving a nightclub with a cigarette in his mouth.

And it was also Barrack following a show of petulance at the end of his side draw 2-2 with Birmingham City last season - and he admitted friction is rampant in the Arsenal camp.

"There was a problem at half-time of the 4-4 draw with Tottenham," he said. "The only thing I could say half-time was" Guys, we solve these problems after the match, not halfway. "

Gallas has revealed that on another occasion, some Arsenal players were insulted by their own teammate.

"When some players as captain come to you and tell you about a player complaining about him ... and then ... during the game you talk about this player and the player in question insult us, there comes a time where we can not understand how this could happen, "he said.

Gallas did not reveal the name of the player, but he said the incident occurred during a phase of attacking play, saying: "I am trying to defend myself a little without giving any names . Otherwise, I take any (blame). I 'm 31, the player is six years younger than me. "

Yet the half-center believes his side can still challenge for honors this season, but he added another season without silverware would be a kind of failure. "

"I must win something this year. I have something to gain, Arsenal has something to gain. It is four or five years since Arsenal won anything - 2004 (under the league). C ' is nearly five years, and this is not good.

"(Big contracts) make a difference, perhaps. You can rest on your laurels, for sure."

Arsenal travel to Manchester City in the league on Saturday hoping to avoid their first back-to-back defeats in 58 football matches.
by bbcnews.