Revitalised Gallas riding high at the Lane
So imagine the anguish from Arsenal’s followers when their own Champions League exit on Tuesday was followed rapidly by the success of their nearest and not-so-dearest neighbours in reaching the quarter-finals.
Even more galling for the Gunners, Tottenham’s 1-0 aggregate victory over AC Milan was the perfect stage for William Gallas to show Arsene Wenger what he is missing.
Gallas was superb in both games but it’s not surprising when you consider he has been Tottenham’s best and most consistent defender this season.
There were few tears at the Emirates Stadium when the Frenchman decided to leave as, in his final two years, he did little to endear himself to Arsenal fans. Remember the infamous sit-down after their defeat at Birmingham? Or the criticism of his team-mates that led to Kolo Toure saying he could not play alongside him?
Once Wenger stripped him of the captaincy, Gallas was on borrowed time at Arsenal.
The only ones complaining, when he left at the end of his contract to sign for Tottenham, were from disgruntled Spurs fans. Redknapp admitted he was in a “minority of one” thinking it was a good move, for club and player.
But there are no unbelievers now. It has turned out to be a masterstroke. While his other four main central defenders have all suffered serious injury problems, Gallas has been the one constant at the back, showing the form that won him silverware at Chelsea.
It was a combination of his experience and ability that made him irresistible to Redknapp. And with all Arsenal’s ambitions looking like coming undone by their weak spine, the rebirth of Gallas at Spurs is all the more painful.
No-one knows whether he would have made much difference against Lionel Messi, David Villa and Xavi as Barcelona put the Gunners to the sword, but Gallas and Michael Dawson did an outstanding job to help Spurs keep two clean sheets against the goal threat of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robinho and Pato.
It means Spurs are in dreamland while Arsenal can only dream of what might have been.
“It was fantastic,” said Gallas after Wednesday’s goalless draw at White Hart Lane saw them through.
“Everybody is very pleased we qualified for the quarter-finals. It was not easy but we did it. I won’t say we played well but we defended very well. That’s more important.
“The way AC Milan started, it was very difficult for us to keep a clean sheet but we did a good job.”
He is keeping his own counsel on what happened at Arsenal, preferring to live in the present.
“Now I play for Spurs. Nobody knows how far we can go, not even us. We know we have the quality to beat any team but now we have to understand the Champions League is not easy. We have to be focused for 90 minutes, like we were tonight.”
He speaks as a Champions League veteran, unlike many of his team-mates. “All the players now know we have the quality, so we are strong. Everybody feels the group is very strong. It’s good for the future, it’s good for Tottenham.”
Life has changed dramatically for a player who was at a metaphorical crossroads last summer.
“When I signed, I just wanted to play football and show who I was. Everybody criticised me because I didn’t have a good World Cup and was injured last year. Football is like this, but now I’m very happy to show everyone who I am.”
Cryptically, he alluded to deeper issues at the Emirates than have been made public: “If I left Arsenal, it was for some reason. I won’t say why now. I will say it at the end of the season. The most important for me was to stay in London for my family and to play in the Champions League, and Tottenham gave me that opportunity.”
Will they want more from him next season? “Maybe. I don’t know yet, you don’t know what will happen in the future. I will try be here next season.
“At the moment, I’m happy to be here. I’ve been happy at all my clubs. I spent five years at Chelsea and won trophies. I was at Arsenal for four years and I was happy.
“For me, it’s more important to play. I wouldn’t be happy if I wasn’t playing — but I play, so I’m happy with my career at the moment.”
And in one part of north London, they are very happy with him, too.
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