Arsene Wenger & Arsenal Fans: How About Swapping Gallas For A Real Leader?

Remember in 2006, how William Gallas arrived at Arsenal in part exchange for Ashley Cole?

Great, us Gunners thought, we have got rid of the club's biggest whinger. Little did we know we had inherited one that is just as bad.

For me, Gallas has been an OK player for Arsenal. He has scored some important goals for Arsenal; his problem is in keeping them out at the other end.

It is no exaggeration to say that Arsenal’s defending from set pieces has been nothing short of horrific this season. Add to that the team's inability to defend under pressure and Arsenal have a serious problem.

In situations such as against Hull and Sunderland you look to your captain for guidance. Unfortunately for the rest of the Arsenal team their captain is the man who sits down on the pitch following a 2-2 draw with Birmingham, a man who whinges incessantly, a man who thinks the whole world is against him.

The real leaders on the field for this team are Kolo Toure and Cesc Fabregas. For come strange reason, Arsene Wenger (the man I rarely question) has persisted with Gallas as captain. Fair enough Cesc is too young, but Toure has always rallied the team and being dedicated to the Arsenal cause.

Perhaps removing Gallas as Captain is not good enough, maybe it is time to remove him from the team. Clearly, the Arsenal squad are a young bunch of players who need guidance from a level headed professional. Maybe the man to replace Gallas is the man to take the Arsenal armband and lead this club like it should be!

Who?

Richard Dunne.

Richard Dunne from Manchester City?

Yes, that's the one.

I cannot believe this guy is not playing in the Champions League week in and week out. Don't get me wrong, he is in a good place at Manchester City now but he has been there for the taking before City got bankrolled by their UAE friends.

Dunne is 29 years old and has the leadership so craved by the Arsenal team and has to be the greatest £3 million ever spent by Manchester City. Obviously this guy is no saint; he was suspended by City in 2003 for disciplinary problems. However the way he reacted shows the character of this guy.

Did he sit and whinge? Did he claim the world was against him?

No. Kevin Keegan took him aside and told him not to waste his talent, and he didn't. Dunne has been voted Manchester City's player of the year four times and became club captain in 2006.

Manchester City team-mate Micah Richards said: “Ever since I’ve come to this club Richard has just been quality. I play with him week in, week out and I think he’s one of the best players I’ve played with. I’ve played with John Terry and Rio Ferdinand in the England squad but Richard is right up there with them.”

This is the guy we need at Arsenal. Anyone who saw the last three Irish World Cup qualifiers will know what I mean. He is making John O'Shea look like a world class centre back. He organises, he shouts, he screams but not in the way Gallas does, Dunne's shouting is beneficial to the team.

Anyone who doubts my argument should just watch the last half-hour of the Rep.Ireland's game against Cyprus last night, this is what you get from Richard Dunne 95 percent of the time.

Perhaps Manchester City would like to add some Gallic flare to their side, a Frenchman for an Irishman? Wenger, give Manchester City £30 million of the £50 million you reportedly have, if you'll not spend it on an Englishman, spend it on an Irishman.

Then again, William Gallas might be slightly crazy but Manchester City aren't! Our chance of getting a defensive gem seemed to have vanished in the summer unless Wenger can pull one last trick out of his magic hat.