Wenger: friendship not vital as Gallas and Toure fall out

FRIENDSHIP is not the most important commodity among team-mates, according to Arsène Wenger.

Amid claims that Arsenal centre backs William Gallas and Kolo Toure had fallen out, Wenger said: “They get on OK. In football you don’t have to go on holiday together but you can still play together.

“[Real Madrid legends] Alfredo di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas never spoke to each other. They didn’t greet each other but when you saw them play together you would never guess that.

“Kolo and William talk to each other but it is always very difficult to assess how much people are friends or not. What is essential is that, on the pitch, football is most important and they should respect the game. If you want to win, you do what it takes.

“I’ll consider [playing Gallas and Toure] but I have not decided yet,” said Wenger when asked about the equation. “I believe they can play together but we have a little handicap in the air when they do.”