When centre back William Gallas went public on Arsenal’s dressing room unrest he effectively resigned from his post as Arsenal captain. The Frenchman must have known this. Perhaps Gallas felt the captaincy was a burden rather than an honour and his personal poor form as well as the clubs may have been linked to this. Saying this, Gallas does have previous. Just after his transfer deadline day switch to Arsenal, Chelsea claimed that Gallas demanded a transfer and if selected on the opening day against Manchester City he would purposefully put through his own net. Gallas denied this but his naive relationship with the press surely has played a big part in the unhappy spells at many of his clubs. Wenger was quick to name his replacement. Twenty-one year old centre midfielder Francesc Fàbregas was his choice, and as Arsenal’s most consistent and most consistently brilliant performer he was the choice of the fans as well.
However brilliance does not necessarily mean Fabregas is the right Arsenal captain. Frank Mclintockwas not by any stretch of the imagination the most glamorous Arsenal player during his nine years and 403 games at Highbury. However Mclintock never stopped talking. Verbally he was on of the best. He screamed at team mates when they needed screaming at, and he was the first man to dish out praise when it was due. If age is seen as a problem then it needn’t be. Arsenal’s most successful recent captain and one of their most successful ever, Tony Adams was given the captaincy at 21, just like Fabregas.
If in Manchester United’s team Fabregas would not even be considered as ‘skipper‘. United have leaders all over the pitch in almost every position. Ferdinand, Vidic, Van Der Saar and Rooney are all examples. Perhaps this is one of the reasons that Arsenals season has yet to get going. Arsenal leaders from the past roll off the tongue; Adams, Vieria, Petit and Henry are examples from the most recent generation and every single one of those players won domestic trophies in brilliant Arsenal sides. Arsenal’s current team is without a strong leader similar to any of the above players. Fabregas could well prove his critics wrong, but I doubt it. The sale of Gilberto was a mistake, the loss of Flamini was a disaster. Both players were stronger characters who could of helped Arsenal win away at Stoke or Hull with their combative, battling qualities that Arsenal are yet to replace.
Tags: Fabregas
