So, William Gallas smokes or, at least there’s a picture of him smoking (can’t find it yet). Ok, not actually smoking, but out at a bar late at night, with an unlit cigarette hanging out of his mouth.
So what?
On the one hand, Gallas’ problems aren’t from smoking. He doesn’t lack of wind: he always catches his opponents after they beat his paltry offside trap. I don’t think smoking is the reason he can’t pay attention on set plays. I don’t think smoking prevents him from clearing the ball. And I certainly don’t think that smoking makes you a bad leader — after all we’re all human and we all have faults some on the outside (like smoking) and some on the inside.
Besides, as long as he’s performing on the pitch, I don’t particularly care that he smokes… as long as he’s one of the regular outfield players. Robin van Persie is a known smoker and no one has a problem with that. What I think most fans and especially Arsene Wenger have a problem with is that Gallas is, ostensibly, the team leader and no one needs reminding that this is a team full of impressionable young men. As Arsene Wenger put it:
I didn’t see the picture (!!!). I have been informed, but I don’t like that. I will check that with him. He has a responsibility as captain of Arsenal Football Club. That cannot be accepted.
As captain, he shouldn’t be out late, drinking, smoking, and generally screwing around because Arsenal need to stay tight and focused right now. The day we win the league(s) feel free, smoke a huge joint for all I care but during the season, ahead of a game and as captain you just can’t be out partying.
Of course this could all be one of the press’ famous “shit stirring” stories. I remember the one from last year where The World’s Least Reputable Newspaper printed a poorly translated interview of Gallas saying that he didn’t have any friends at the club. So, until Gallas admits it, or we have proof, then we should hold judgment.
Maybe in our new found doe eyed love for the club, we should just hold judgment no matter what because I believe Arsene Wenger will get to the bottom of this story and deal with Gallas as he sees fit.
Re: RvP smokes.
You know, that really disturbs me. I fucking despise cigarettes, and yeah I have some delusions about footballers and their health, but part of me wants to believe that they treat their bodies like temples. A few beers here and there is one thing, cigarettes are a whole separate issue. I wanted to believe that footballers, especially Arsenal footballers, held themselves to a high standard of athletics where cigarettes and even booze were frowned up.
Yeah so maybe I am a little disillusioned now.
Le sigh…
Tim, it’s just a photo, and you’re right – we should refrain from rebuking him until the facts are known. For all we know, that’s Wiliam Gallas’ niece, and he’s lecturing her on the evils of smoking, boozing and not being in bed by 10pm. He’s a beacon of leadershipness, that Gallas.
Tim, it’s just a photo, and you’re right – we should refrain from rebuking him until the facts are known. For all we know, that’s Wiliam Gallas’ niece, and he’s lecturing her on the evils of smoking, boozing and not being in bed by 10pm. He’s a beacon of leadershipness, that Gallas.
Also, Arsene Wenger admitted that he used to smoke.
We all knew that Gallas was no leader long before any photographs surfaced of him with a cigarette.