In Defence of William Gallas
241 comments March 26th, 2007
William Gallas has come in for a bit of criticism over the last few days. Actually, more than a bit. A lot.
If, however, you’ve been living in a cave for the last few days (for reasons tragic or vacational) then here’s an extract from arseblog to give you a glimpse of the vibe:
On his day and fully fit William Gallas is an excellent footballer. A footballer that could bring a lot to this team. However, as of yet we haven’t seen that William Gallas. The William Gallas we’re seeing is a petulant loudmouth who seems to spend more time talking to his friends in the French press. Maybe some people like that William Gallas, I’d prefer the one who plays football well and that is my whole point.
Meaow.
I put links in for a reason. So go back up, click that arseblog one, and read up on what Gallas has said and done. Hell, go back and read this piece by arseblogger, if you haven’t already (which you should have done, unless you’ve been in the aforementioned cave). There’s more. Basically, what you’ll soon realise is that Gallas is hardly “Mr. Popular” in the world of Arsenal blogs.
Well, I’ve never quite gone in for this stinging criticism of our outspoken French centre-back. Sure, what he says might not be what people like to hear, but everything he’s said I agree with. Take for instance the incident with the Arsenal physios, which has had some fans raging at Gallas’ ungratefulness and lack of privacy. Well, firstly, let’s look at what he actually said. When asked if he had been irritated by a muscle strain being diagnosed as cramp, he blasted:
“A little, yes.”
SELL HIM. GALLAS OUT.
Ok, maybe he shouldn’t have answered the question, but it’s hardly a damning condemnation of all things Arsenal. And let’s be honest, if it was you, you’d be pretty annoyed. A lot more than “a little”. Let’s say there was something wrong with your computer, so you took it to the top IT experts in the country, and they say to you “Oh, just turn it on and off again”, whereas in fact your computer is completely buggered for three months. Or something. You get the point.
And now, let’s broaden the autopsy by going back to the original French. This is the question that immediately followed Gallas’ great slagging off of Gary Lewin & co. If your language skills aren’t the best, bear with me briefly:
En avez-vous voulu au staff médical d’Arsenal ?
Ben, oui, un peu, par rapport à cette erreur de diagnostic. Après, les médecins ont tout fait pour que je revienne. Mais, au final, ma saison n’est pas satisfaisante. On n’a pas vu le Gallas de Cuntski ou de l’équipe de France et je m’en veux. Je n’ai pas dégagé ce que je dégageais avant.
My French isn’t the best, but I’ll have a go:
Do you blame the medical staff at Arsenal?
Well, yes, a bit, on account of this error of diagnosis. Afterwards, the doctors did all they could to recover me. But, in the end, my season was not satisfying. We haven’t seen the Gallas of Chelsea or the French team and I blame myself. I haven’t performed as I have previously.
So, essentially, it’s “Do you blame the medical staff at Arsenal?” “Well, yes a bit … But, in the end … I blame myself“.
You can say I’ve twisted it if you like. But the words are there in front of you.
Yes, it’s slightly irritating that he goes and gives interviews to L’Equipe etc because it means we have to deal with the messy translations and sensetionalist English press, but when you look at it, what has he really done wrong? I’d love to know.
And why am I defending Monsieur Gallas? Because I know that if we want to stand any chance of winning the title next season, it’s vital that he remains fit and in the team. You don’t have to like Gallas to see that he’s a great player, or that nice guys don’t neccessarily win prizes.
Happy Monday.
