Gallas: 'He is very strong with lots of quality' - 10 Dec 2007
When Lassana Diarra crossed from west to north London, his new Club captain knew Arsene Wenger had pulled off a major coup in capturing one of French football’s brightest talents.
William Gallas trained alongside Diarra at Stamford Bridge and has now seen his compatriot slot seamlessly into the Arsenal midfield in the absence of the injured Cesc Fabregas and Mathieu Flamini.
Diarra's performances will make him a difficult man to drop when Wenger's walking wounded are fully fit again. Gallas is not at all surprised; indeed, he believes there is much more to come from the 22-year-old.
“I knew him from my days at Chelsea," Gallas told Arsenal.com. "He is a good player, very strong and with lots of quality. He is a very strong player and he wants to play.
“I was not really surprised [when he signed for Arsenal]. I knew he would come and train hard. Some were surprised, but I was not because he is a good player.”
With their relationship already strengthened through the French national team, Gallas was able to play a key role in helping Diarra settle into life at Emirates Stadium.
“I just told him when he arrived to be patient,” he said. “He really wanted to show everybody what he can do and I told him to be patient and your chance will come.
“I talk to him all the time to try and point him in the right away and I think everything will be okay.” |