Gallas vows to improve captaincy

LONDON // William Gallas has accepted he made significant errors last season as the Arsenal captain, but has promised changes to his approach if he is given the armband for the new campaign. Gallas' leadership was under intense scrutiny when Arsenal's challenge for trophies fell away after Christmas, with ugly episodes in the spotlight such as the skipper lashing out at an advertising hoarding when Birmingham snatched a last-gasp equaliser in February.

The France international, 30, was at the other end of the pitch when James McFadden scored his penalty at St Andrews, and Arsene Wenger has not yet guaranteed the central defender another season leading out the side. Gallas, staking his claim for another chance, said: "You know I learned a lot, you want to be the best captain, give good advice to your players, but sometimes you can make mistakes as well so I think this season I know what I'm going to do and I know I am ready to change my way to speak to the players."

Gallas was also outspoken about his teammate Theo Walcott and although he acted as a peacemaker at White Hart Lane, Emmanuel Adebayor and Nicklas Bendtner turning on each other did little to suggest there was unity under the skipper. * PA Sport