William Gallas planning Arsenal exit as rift storm grows

William Gallas has revealed he is planning a move back to France as he faces losing the Arsenal captaincy following an astonishing attack on his team-mates.

The 31-year-old defender said yesterday he had to break up a fight in the Gunners dressing room at half time during the 4-4 draw with Tottenham; claimed the Gunners youngsters were not showing enough bravery; that there was a 25-year-old troublemaker in the team and that he would consider his own future if the club fail to win a trophy this season.

Arsene Wenger will be furious with this latest outburst from Gallas, who has been criticised in the past for sulking after the 2-2 draw with Birmingham last season and accusing Theo Walcott for not fulfilling his potential.

Wenger will now have to decide whether to punish the Frenchman and leave him out of tomorrow's trip to Manchester City. He may even decide to sell Gallas, who made it clear earlier this week that he wants to leave Emirates Stadium and return home to France.

Gallas said: "It's true that I'd like to return to France for one or perhaps two seasons to finish my career.

"But if I go it won't be to just 'anywhere'. I'd go to a big club or nowhere at all. The choices look simple to me - it would be Marseille, Lyon, PSG or, let's not forget, Bordeaux.

"PSG are a massive club and known everywhere. I've stayed in contact with Claude Makelele and he's told me that he's pretty happy to be in Paris. He feels he's getting the respect he deserves from everyone.

"As far as Bordeaux is concerned I really like the club and the region. I was a Jean Tigana fan when he played for Bordeaux and their coach right now is Laurent Blanc who I've never played for but who knows football off by heart and must be a good guy to lead you."

Former England manager Graham Taylor believes that Wenger now has to relieve Gallas of the captaincy after his latest outburst.

Taylor said: "You would think by now that Arsene Wenger would know what sort of person he wants as a captain and if it isn't working for him, make those changes.

"He knows what he wants from a captain and, if he feels that Gallas is not doing that, then he is wrong to continue with him. I am surprised that he still has stuck with Gallas."