Toure - Gallas will rank alongside Vieira and Adams - 27 Nov 2007
Kolo Toure believes William Gallas will be considered one of Arsenal’s great captains alongside the likes of Tony Adams and Patrick Vieira.
On Saturday, the French centre back steered home a near-post header seven minutes from time to break Wigan’s stubborn resistance and set-up a 2-0 win. In celebration he ran to the crowd pointing at his captain’s armband. It was the second successive home game in which Gallas had popped up with a crucial late goal.
The 30-year-old may have been a surprise choice to replace Thierry Henry as captain in August but, according to his central defensive partner, he is leading by the deed as well as word.
"William gives everything for the Club,” said Toure. “Both on and off the pitch, William is a really good captain. He is loud in the dressing room and he has a big heart. Everything he says and does is for the team and the Club. That is the most important quality in a captain.
"William seems to enjoy the responsibility. He is a really mature player, he has played in a World Cup Final and he is 30. Age and experience really helps as a captain. He leads by example.
"When Titi was here, he was outstanding,” Toure went on. “Patrick was strong and Tony as well. I have played under some fantastic captains and you just follow them.
"I think he deserves to be mentioned among those names as captain because he is such a strong figure. He has great maturity in a really young team so that's so important.
"The young players, when he says something, they really listen to him because they respect him.” |