Gallas stripped of Arsenal captaincy

France defender William Gallas has been stripped of the Arsenal captaincy after criticising his mates, media reported yesterday.

France Football magazine's website (www.francefootball.fr) said Gallas had also been left out of the squad for today's Premier League match at Manchester City.

Arsenal declined to comment on whether Gallas had been removed as club captain.

Gallas was quoted in yesterday's British newspapers questioning the determination of some of the squad after Arsenal's inconsistent start to the season, which has already resulted in four league defeats.

He also referred to an incident at half-time during the recent 4-4 draw at home to Tottenham and said on another occasion players had been insulted by an unnamed team-mate.

"There was a problem at halftime of the 4-4 draw with Tottenham. The only thing that I could say at half-time was, 'Guys, we resolve these problems after the match, not at halftime'", Gallas said.

"When as captain some players come up to you and talk to you about a player... complaining about him... and then during the match you speak to this player and the player in question insults us, there comes a time where we can no longer comprehend how this can happen."

Referring to the club's poor form, which has included defeats by Hull City and Stoke City, the 31-year-old said: "We are not brave enough in battle.

"I think we need to be soldiers. To be champions, you have to play big matches every weekend and fight.