Arsenal Football Club News

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

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Almunia hails Gallas recovery

29 Dec 2008 - 15:55:09

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Stand-in Arsenal captain Manuel Almunia has voiced his respect and admiration for former Gunners skipper William Gallas.

Gallas was stripped of the armband by manager Arsene Wenger shortly before Christmas, with his replacement Cesc Fabregas then suffering a knee injury against Liverpool.

That left Almunia to lead the side and the Spanish goalkeeper has been impressed by Gallas' recent displays, especially in scoring the winner in the 1-0 victory over Portsmouth on Sunday.

Almunia said: "William is a very good professional. When he was captain he would fight for the team, in every aspect.

"He is a real winner and has a strong character. But we are on William's side, everyone supports him.

"He has shown that he is an unbelievable professional. He is a player with more trophies than anyone else in the team - everyone has to respect that.

"He knows how to get success. Even though he is not the captain we follow him. I play with so much confidence when William is playing in front of me. He has won the World Cup and I have so much respect for him.

"Maybe he lost some energy when he was captain. He took responsibility for the pressure felt by all the players. William took too many responsibilities and tried to be the main player on the pitch.

"I think he is playing better than before. I spoke to him last week and he told me that now he is playing better because he is not losing too much energy because he is not worried about other things and other players or other circumstances off the pitch."