这样下赛季这名29岁法国后卫将成为阿森纳新队长

Wenger considers Gallas for Arsenal captaincy

Arsene Wenger has hinted France defender William Gallas could captain Arsenal this season despite publicly criticising the club.

Gallas, 29, launched a stinging attack on Arsenal and #39;s failure to sign enough top quality players but Wenger still gave him the skipper and #39;s armband for Wednesday and #39;s 1-0 friendly defeat against Salzburg in Austria.

The former Chelsea star had claimed several of Arsenal and #39;s leading players were considering their futures after previous captain Thierry Henry and #39;s depature to Barcelona and said he did not want to "play for third place".

But Wenger insists there is no rift with Gallas, who along with Gilberto Silva and Kolo Toure, is a strong contender to lead the Gunners.

"William has all the ingredients to be captain - it is him or players like Gilberto or Kolo Toure," Wenger told Arsenal and #39;s website.

"He has got a lot of experience. At the back is the best position to captain the team because you are in a position where you see all the problems on the pitch - that is a better position than for a centre-forward or wide player."

Wenger and #39;s team face Paris Saint Germain on Saturday in the opening day of pre-season tournament at their Emirates Stadium and then play Inter Milan on Sunday.

Brazil midfielder Gilberto, who was often captain in Henry and #39;s absence last season, will be missing as he rests after helping his country to Copa America success.

Wenger will keep his options open until the first Premiership game of the season against Fulham and said: "We go game by game. We are in a preparation period at the moment and at this time, the captain problem is not the most important problem for us - it is to be fit.

"You have to give us some time, show patience and continue to play with the spirit we have shown in Austria. We created some chances and things we had worked on went well.

"Of course, we are not sharp at the moment, but overall what we wanted to see, we have done - the intensity of the workout was there."