Gallas in Gunners reckoning

Arsene Wenger maintains he would have no qualms about throwing William Gallas straight into action with his new Arsenal team-mates against Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Gallas joined the Gunners as part of a player-plus-cash deadline-day deal which took wantaway left-back Ashley Cole in the opposite direction. It has, though, turned out to be an acrimonious departure.

The France defender was accused by the Barclays Premiership champions of threatening to score an own goal if selected, and also alleged he twice refused to play during his long-running contractual dispute.

Gallas has already rejected Chelsea's claims and is contemplating taking legal action.

However, he showed little evidence of the controversy affecting his game as he helped France to a well-deserved 3-1 victory over world champions Italy in Paris on Wednesday night.

The versatile 29-year-old is certainly an option for Wenger at left-back on Saturday, given Gael Clichy remains sidelined and Justin Hoyte's natural position is on the other flank.

However, a shoulder injury to Johan Djourou suffered on international duty with Switzerland Under-21s against England in midweek may force the Arsenal boss into a re-think.

"Gallas can play in different positions at the back and that is what we need," Wenger reflected.

"He is used to the Premiership, he knows what it is all about and what it is to go to difficult places. That is why I am happy to have him."

Wenger told Arsenal TV Online: "He can play left-back and there is a possibility he may play there [on Saturday].

"At the moment we have problem there.

"Justin Hoyte prefers to play at right-back, so Gallas is the most capable to sort that out.

"He could play [there], but I do not know yet.

"Djourou came back injured, and I will have to assess it."

From : Football 365