There seems to be something going on with Arsenal players right now where when they have something to say, they say it to the media rather than in private. The last to join that list is William Gallas, who first spoke about the attitude of some of the players:

I think we need to be soldiers. To be champions, you have to play big matches every weekend and fight. We have to be warriors. That is how the team will forge their character and experience.

There was a problem at half-time 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’.

… and then mentioned an episode where some Arsenal players were insulted by their own team-mate:

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. I am trying to defend myself a bit without giving names. Otherwise I’m taking it all (the blame). I’m 31, the player is six years younger than me.

Now if my calculations are right, only four players fall under that age: Eboue, Sagna, Van Persie and Eduardo, who is yet to feature this season. Believe me, it’s very sad to read interviews like Gallas’ and I’m afraid the squad is slowly starting to deteriorate. Also, I wouldn’t be surprised if they end up doing all they can to fail from qualifying for next season’s Champions League, knowing that they will no longer be here next season.

Something has to be done, and quickly. We have many immature players amongst our side, starting from Van Persie, to Gallas himself and also others. You simply can’t expect to be successful when one of your players behaves like a child and gets sent off when provoked. You can’t win when your captain and most influential player talk in public about how they feel, rather than keeping the skeletons in the closet. And, it’s Wenger who has to do something, unless he’s also on the list of departing figures.

Meanwhile, according to the official website, Kolo Toure will miss next Saturday’s trip to Manchester. Arsene Wenger said:

Kolo Toure is a major doubt. He got an injury on his calf with Ivory Coast. But apart from him and Adebayor, who flies in tonight and I have not spoken to, everybody is OK.