Gallas: bad luck cost Gunners the title crown

ARSENAL captain William Gallas still believes his side would have been Premier League champions this season if luck had not deserted them over the final run-in.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger conceded the end of his team’s title challenge following defeat at leaders Manchester United which left them nine points off the pace with only four games to play.

A 4-0 thrashing in the FA Cup away to United with a makeshift side on February 16 was the first sign of difficulties to come, and the loss of two points and striker Eduardo at Birmingham at St Andrews left another psychological scar on the squad.

Wenger also points to the loss of Robin van Persie, Tomas Rosicky and most recently key right-back Bacary Sagna to injury as more evidence of how his young squad have been “swimming against the stream”.

Crucial decisions — such as penalties given one way yet not the other over the two legs of their Champions League quarter-final defeat to Liverpool — have also not fallen for Arsenal.

Gallas is in no doubt that had such marginal calls gone in favour of his side, then the Gunners would have reason to celebrate come May.

“You can play well, but if the luck is not there, then you will win nothing,” Gallas said.

The Arsenal captain admitted there would now be some soul-searching for answers.

Gallas continued: “For a few months it has been difficult for us to react to conceding a goal, we have been going down very quick.

“When the season started we were not like this and I don’t know why we have been in trouble now after scoring a goal. We have to work on that for next season.

“We are not far away, but we will have to see what we can do next season. You remember only the people who win trophies.”

Arsene Wenger maintains his squad does not need major surgery.

The Gunners boss insists his main priority is to keep the current group together, and adding only “one experienced player” — if they can find him at the right price.

However, the futures of veterans Jens Lehmann and Gilberto — both part of the 2003-04 “Invincibles” squad — look likely to be elsewhere, while a new deal has yet to be agreed with out-of-contract midfielder Mathieu Flamini, as Juventus wait in the wings.

“The main target is to keep the team together because we are absolutely amazing,” insisted Wenger.

“I am very proud of my team and I believe we have to continue next season what we are doing. We will continue to play the way we do but better. The trophies will come.”

Emmanuel Adebayor has backed Arsene Wenger’s “vision” — and declared the Gunners will come out fighting “like a killer” next season.

Adebayor, who put the Gunners ahead at Old Trafford only to see the champions fight back, maintains the man who brought Arsenal three league titles and four FA Cups, as well as an appearance in the 2006 Champions League final, has not lost his touch.

“Arsene is a great man and a great manager,” declared Adebayor.

“I still believe we are still one of the best teams in the world.

“But next season we have to come out like a killer to do something. We have the quality.”