Arsenal - Wenger Hails Gallas

William Gallas suffered a hamstring injury in his mutts nutts performance against Porto in the Champions League on Tuesday night last week, yet the Frenchman has already recovered and is ready to face Charlton at the Valley this afternoon.

Gallas has been inspirational since his arrival at Arsenal (in stark contrast Cole has been nothing more than a poor squad player) and we Gooners have taken an instant liking to the defender who has given his all in his short time at Ashburton Grove.

Maybe his PR team are working overtime but Gallas always seems to says the right things at the right time, fabricating a formidable relationship with the Arsenal fans.

He greets us before and after every game, his passion there for all to see, and now Arsene Wenger has given Gallas a glowing report of what Billy is all about.

'I think he is one of the best defenders in the world and he goes about his job quietly because that's the best way to do things,' said Wenger. 'Once you talk about how good you are you are in the wrong situation. He lets his performances talk for him and he's a winner.'

'And he is at a good age. I think he has made a big step forward at Chelsea in the last two years. And he is getting to the age where is at the top for a central defender.'

'It looks to me like red and white suits him very well,' said Wenger. 'Maybe it has been a benefit that he knows a few players here and he has integrated very well and he gives us that little bit extra.

'He gives us more experience at the back. I feel we are strong but have a lack of experience. But with him you feel that extra bit of experience is there.'

'I always feel that between 28 and 32 the players are at their peak. They get everything together. He also pretends that the No.10 of Dennis Bergkamp pushes him magically forward. In our system he can go forward.'

'He has given us more and it coincides with an improvement in results. Certainly there is an improved belief in the squad.'

'Young players benefit as well from him a lot because he's a good communicator. We have some players who are very quiet and don't speak to other players but he communicates very well.'

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