Lay off Gallas: he's a great captain.

There's been a lot of rubbish spouted across the media, and also among some Arsenal groups, about William Gallas and his role in the events of last weekend. Even I, in my report of the game last week, criticised him for his antics at the end of the last game. Some, especially among the rags that make up the British tabloid media, have even suggested that Gallas might cost us the title.

But let's analyse matters.

In terms of the game, his actions are understandable, if not completely laudable. Seeing a team-mate mutilated, and a win, despite this, ripped from your grasp with a dubious last-minute penalty made me bloody mad, so I can only imagine what it must have been like for a player as pumped up as Gallas.

He wants to win, and he probably wanted to win even more than usual, given poor Dudu. Of all his actions, the only one that really upset me was when he walked to the other end of the pitch whilst the penalty was being taken. It wasn't a great show of faith in Almunia and it was bad defending; it gave the impression that there was no chance he'd save the penalty, so there was no point in waiting for any potential rebound.

Kicking the hoarding and crying on the pitch are understandable. I think everyone would rather he kicked a hoarding than kung-fu kicked a fan, Cantona-style.

But in general he's been a great captain. He's driven the team forward and scored massively important goals. He's organised pre-game team talks and the post-game huddle. The younger players clearly look up to him. The only player who didn't - Jens - is now not in the side, and when he returned he toed the line. Bendtner, if you believe some accounts, remains the only one who questions his authority.

He has a winning mentality and he leads; these are the two vital preconditions for being a captain.

Yes he has his faults, but which Arsenal captains of recent years haven't? Tony had his problems with booze that led to a jail term; Paddy openly flirted with other clubs almost every summer; Thierry, great player that he was, was an absolutely rubbish leader. Tony and Paddy were great captains despite their faults, at least.

I think it would be justifiable to say that Gallas's captaincy has contributed to the team's success this year, and that he is the best player at the club for the role. Far from hindering our progress this season, he's been vital to it.

So, if you haven't already, ignore the media and get behind Billy G.

Right, time to go to the Grove. I'm surprisingly confident about the match; I'm less confident I can keep down all I had to drink last night. Urghh.

Come on you reds!