Fabregas takes over Arsenal’s captaincy

11-25-2008 | AFP

Gallas was punished for criticizing his teammates performance

Panama Star France defender Gallas was stripped of the club captaincy, fined two weeks' wages and dropped from the squad that lost 3-0 at Manchester City last weekend after publicly criticising his team-mates.

Wenger's decision to restore Gallas to the team just three days after sending the centre-back into exile was due in part to Arsenal's woeful defensive showing at Eastlands on Saturday.

After three defeats in four matches the Gunners cannot afford another loss on Tuesday, so Wenger has little choice but to turn back to his most talented defender.

But handing the captain's armband to Fabregas showed that he wasn't prepared to let Gallas get away with his rant without a substantial punishment.

"He (Gallas) will play against Kiev. The captain will be Fabregas. It is a permanent thing."