Wenger wants Gallas to stay

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has spoken about William Gallas future at the club.

Controversial Wiliam Gallas was stripped of his Arsenal captaincy recently after blabbing to the tabloids about dressing room rifts within the Gunners' camp. Young midfielder Cesc Fabregas was subsequently handed the armband.

No sooner had the big stopper been binned than the transfer rumour mill started working overtime, linking the French centre-back with Italian giants Milan and homeland club Paris Saint-Germain.

However, Wenger has reiterated his support for the player, and his distrust of the media, insisting that Gallas won't be moving on in January, contrary to the reports.

"My desire is clear - I want him to stay, of course," Wenger asserted.

"The problem in the modern game is that you always have to fight against an environment which attempts to destabilise you just by creating news.

"I cannot fight against that, I can only give what we want inside the club: we want to keep William with us. He is an important player in the squad and what other people try to provoke, or try to put out in the media, we cannot master.

"It does not change my mind and, in the end, I will decide."

Asked about the visit of Wigan at the weekend, he added: "Many eyes will be turned on Arsenal to see how we respond tomorrow.

"Let's believe in this team, because we have the quality, the desire, the talent and the spirit."