Gallas sympathetic to plight of unhappy Gunners trio

WILLIAM GALLAS has expressed sympathy for the malcontents within Arsenal’s squad as Arsene Wenger attempts to quell a mini-rebellion at the club.

A two-point lead at the top of the Premier League and the possibility of success in three different cup competitions have not proved enough to foster a harmonious atmosphere at the Emirates stadium and the January transfer window is more likely to prompt departures rather than arrivals in north London.

Jens Lehmann has repeatedly criticised Wenger for dropping him in favour of Manuel Almunia and the prospect of starting Sunday’s FA Cup third round tie at Burnley is unlikely to appease him. German clubs, including Wolfsburg and Hamburg, have both expressed an interest in signing the 38-year-old and Wenger will reluctantly allow him to leave.