Gunners skipper calls for 'winning culture'

11:55am Saturday 11th October 2008

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ARSENAL captain William Gallas has admitted the team are lacking that 'winning culture' that was so prevalent during the defender's trophy-laden later years with Chelsea.

The Frenchman came under fire from some quarters last year for his one-man sit-down protest during the side's 2-2 draw with Birmingham City last season, which many have pointed to as the turning point in the Gunners' campaign.

Gallas, 31, accepts that he 'flipped my lid' that day but refuted claims that it cost his team the title, and is now intent on instilling a winning mentality into his side.

“The controversy about my captaincy? People had to find a scapegoat as we didn't win any trophies last season,” said the centre-back.

"So, they talked and talked again about the Birmingham match. Indeed I made a mistake. I must admit I flipped my lid. We should have won that game easily.

"Before Arsenal, I spent six years at Chelsea. That team was capable of getting ugly wins. If we had an opportunity to win a cup, we would never miss it.

"There I became imbued with the winning culture, which doesn't exist yet at Arsenal.

"Of course, some of my Arsenal team-mates could not have appreciated my behaviour against Birmingham.

"I had to state my authority again and today when I motivate them before a match, they say; 'Capi, we need you, we are following you'.

"If I would have been an unworthy captain, they would have banned me.

"The critics went much too far. Maybe I put myself under too much pressure, like Arsene Wenger said.

"I believed I had a message to give to my team-mates and I could not find the right words.

"Our game made people dream, but we had empty hands. We have to show a more clinical state of mind. At the end of last season there was such a frustration inside me!"