Gallas 'axed as skipper'
William Gallas was fined last month after being caught with a cigarette outside a nightclub
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Friday, 21, Nov 2008 10:41
Williams Gallas has been stripped of the Arsenal captaincy and left out of the squad for tomorrow's game with Manchester City, according to reports.
The centre back has not travelled to Eastlands after his scathing comments about his Gunners team-mates.
Gallas revealed there was a blazing row in the dressing room after last month's 4-4 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.
He also revealed a 25-year-old squad member was a disruptive influence, putting Robin Van Persie, Bacary Sagna and Emmanuel Eboue in the frame.
Manuel Almunia, Gael Clichy, Cesc Fabregas and Kolo Toure have been tipped to replace Gallas as skipper.
Former Gunners defender Nigel Winterburn believes Arsene Wenger's decision spells the end of Gallas' career at Arsenal.
"If he takes the captaincy away he's almost saying he doesn't trust him as a player and then maybe he shouldn't be playing within the team," Winterburn told Sky Sports News.
"It shows how disappointed Arsene Wenger is. He must be seriously hurt to take the captaincy away. If he does not travel it could be the end of him at Arsenal."
The 31-year-old, who has been at the Gunners for two years, has confessed he wants to return to France.
"It's true that I'd like to return to France for one or perhaps two seasons to finish my career," the defender said.
Gallas moved to Arsenal from rivals Chelsea in 2006 in the same deal that saw Ashley Cole move to Stamford Bridge.