Keown calls for Gallas to commit

FORMER Arsenal defender Martin Keown has called on William Gallas to commit his future to the club by signing a new one-year deal.

Gallas, 32, is determined to sign a two-year extension to his current deal, but Gunners boss Arsene Wenger will not shift from his policy of offering one-year deals for players in their 30s.

Keown, who had eight successful years under Wenger at the club, has told Gallas he must acknowledge that he will not be offered a two-year deal — and admits the 32-year-old could leave north London this summer.

“He looks like he wants two years but the club don’t offer players of his age more than one year. He’ll have to come to terms with that,” said Keown. “If he trusts his ability he will play one more year and then look for another year after it, but if he gets a better offer then he may go off to pastures new. That decision rests with the player more than it does the club.”

Another veteran defender seeking a new contract at the Emirates Stadium is 35-year-old Sol Campbell.

“I applauded him coming in but whether Wenger keeps him is another matter. With a full pre-season training behind him then I think he might be even better for us than he has been this season. That needs to be contemplated.”

Various names have been linked with moves to the Gunners in recent days, including Juventus midfielder Felipe Melo and Manchester City's on-loan goalkeeper Joe Hart, but Wenger moved quickly to quell all speculation in his weekly press conference. “I read some transfer rumours in the newspapers and they are all wrong. All of them.”