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Adebayor gives backing to Gallas' outburst
By Soccernet staff
January 9, 2009
Arsenal's Emmmanuel Adebayor has backed former skipper William Gallas and said he was right to publicly question his team-mates' stomach for a fight.
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The Togo star has backed his former captain.
Gallas was stripped of the captaincy in November after criticising his team-mates, while he also revealed the rifts in Arsenal's dressing room that have threatened to derail the Gunners' season.
However, Adebayor, who feels Gallas is like his 'big brother', says the defender's outburst may have been just the thing Arsenal needed as they attempt to stay in the hunt for the league title.
"There is some truth in what he said," said the Togo striker. "Someone had to say these things, to make each person face up to their responsibilities. If he had said nothing, where would we be today?
"Gallas has always been like that - he has experience, he has won titles, played in a World Cup final. He doesn't throw these thoughts around lightly. He said something because it was necessary to do it.
"He is indispensable to the team. He is Arsenal's rock - his behaviour since the armband was taken off him proves that."
Arsenal head into this weekend fifth in the Premier League standings, 10 points adrift of leaders Liverpool with half the campaign remaining.
With midfield lynchpin Cesc Fabregas out of action for up to four months because of injury, many have questioned Arsenal's ability to challenge for the title. But Adebayor is not giving up hope, although he admits the team's mentality has to change between now and the end of the season.
"It's a question of confidence," he added in Aujourd'hui Sport. "At the moment, when we take the lead, we are scared. We tremble until the final whistle because the team is young and we have conceded several goals in the last few minutes of matches.
"We are lacking a bit of luck. We haven't been on top form since the start of the season. Perhaps we will perform better towards the end (of the season)."
By Soccernet staff
January 9, 2009
Arsenal's Emmmanuel Adebayor has backed former skipper William Gallas and said he was right to publicly question his team-mates' stomach for a fight.
GettyImages
The Togo star has backed his former captain.
Gallas was stripped of the captaincy in November after criticising his team-mates, while he also revealed the rifts in Arsenal's dressing room that have threatened to derail the Gunners' season.
However, Adebayor, who feels Gallas is like his 'big brother', says the defender's outburst may have been just the thing Arsenal needed as they attempt to stay in the hunt for the league title.
"There is some truth in what he said," said the Togo striker. "Someone had to say these things, to make each person face up to their responsibilities. If he had said nothing, where would we be today?
"Gallas has always been like that - he has experience, he has won titles, played in a World Cup final. He doesn't throw these thoughts around lightly. He said something because it was necessary to do it.
"He is indispensable to the team. He is Arsenal's rock - his behaviour since the armband was taken off him proves that."
Arsenal head into this weekend fifth in the Premier League standings, 10 points adrift of leaders Liverpool with half the campaign remaining.
With midfield lynchpin Cesc Fabregas out of action for up to four months because of injury, many have questioned Arsenal's ability to challenge for the title. But Adebayor is not giving up hope, although he admits the team's mentality has to change between now and the end of the season.
"It's a question of confidence," he added in Aujourd'hui Sport. "At the moment, when we take the lead, we are scared. We tremble until the final whistle because the team is young and we have conceded several goals in the last few minutes of matches.
"We are lacking a bit of luck. We haven't been on top form since the start of the season. Perhaps we will perform better towards the end (of the season)."