Arsenal Football Club

• Nickname:Gunners
• Founded:1886
• Manager:Arsene Wenger

• Ground:Emirates
• Capacity:60432

Wenger: Gallas has a future

23 Nov 2008 - 10:41:59

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists William Gallas has a future at the club but has refused to discuss his decision to strip the outspoken Frenchman of the captaincy.

Gallas did not travel with the squad which lost 3-0 in meek fashion at Manchester City on Saturday, following his critical midweek comments concerning the lack of desire and respect among some of his team-mates.

After the defeat at Eastlands an agitated Wenger refused to entertain questions about his now former captain, but refuted claims that the 31-year-old defender had played his last game for the Gunners.

"Of course he has a future at the club," he claimed.

"I will not speak about William Gallas in a post-match interview. He is a player who did not play today, so what can he do? Nothing.

"Why should we talk about Cesc Fabregas and the other nine players who are not here?

"We can go on until midnight and I will give the same answer to the same question."

Meanwhile, Wenger also denied suggestions that the media storm surrounding Gallas' comments had unsettled his players.

The Gunners slipped ten points off the pace set by the leaders following their fifth league defeat of the season.

"Nothing disturbed us before the game," he added. "We had good focus and concentration. I believe it was a flattering victory for Manchester City.

"We were in control in the first half but then conceded a goal in stoppage time.

"That goal changed the game. City played a lot on the counter-attack and we played into their hands.

"We lacked maturity and the second goal illustrated that. The third goal was a very soft penalty.

"We gave absolutely everything - we are not in the blaming culture."