William Gallas

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Saturday, March 20, 2010, 17:30

Gallas injury won't affect contract talks

By Chris Harris

Arsène Wenger is adamant that William Gallas' injury will not affect talks over his future at Arsenal.

The French centre back has been negotiating a new deal at Emirates Stadium in recent months but he has not played since February 10 after sustaining a calf problem. Gallas was close to a comeback against Porto last week but suffered a set-back in training and will now miss the next two games at least.

Wenger has voiced his concerns over Gallas' seemingly "endless" absence but the manager insists that, although the player is seeing a specialist, the nature of his injury does not threaten the ongoing talks over a new contract.

"No, it is a muscle problem," said Wenger. "If it was a joint problem, his knees ageing, then I would say ‘hmmmm’. But it is a minor muscle problem and we are confident.

"He is seeing a specialist. He is in a rehabilitation centre in the south of France. He went one week ago. He comes back on Wednesday. I have spoken to the doctor he spoke to and the progress is not as quick as I expected it to be. We need to be a little patient. He had two recurrences of the calf so we have to be more patient than before."

As for those contract talks, a deal has yet to be sealed. But Wenger intends to press on and try to keep Gallas at Emirates Stadium.

"We have met [his agent this week], and we will meet again. Nothing has been decided."

[Friday, March 19, 2010]

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