Wigan, and will Wenger bother to replace Gallas?

The next big question all Arsenal fans will be asking of Arsene Wenger - what are you going to do about William Gallas? In public, Wenger has acclaimed Gallas recent performances and attitude with some of the most transparent political spin we've ever seen from the manager.

It's hard to imagine how Wenger could patronise his supporters more.

Gallas is a very unhappy man who effectively ended his Arsenal career several weeks ago with his public outburst regarding dressing room disharmony at the club. Gallas wouldn't have made those comments or written his stupid book if he was seriously committed to Arsenal football club, and now that he has been stripped of his captaincy - as he knew he would be - he'll more than welcome a move out of Arsenal in January. I reckon he's desperate to get away.

There will be no shortage of admirers, although, domestically, he'll never wear the captain's armband again.

What will Wenger do when Gallas leaves? Nothing?

Although far from perfect, Gallas has been Arsenal's best defender this season by a mile. Arsenal have been a mess at the back - even with Gallas - so for him to leave will be distressing and make Arsenal even weaker than they already are.

Make no mistake, the ultimate blame for this chain of events should be laid at the door of Arsene Wenger. Wenger was the man who created this youth team with only 1 or 2 grown ups realistically viable for captaincy, and Gallas was the only possible option.

Like Thierry Henry, Gallas was never a suitable captain, and, like Henry, being lumbered with the captaincy brought out the worst in his ego.

Should Gallas leave in January, Arsenal would require two center backs - they previously required one. Do you think Wenger will buy two centre backs? Neither do I, which is rather worrying as it means whatever happens Arsenal will continue to have weak links at the back this season, next season, and probably the season after.

I've completely lost faith in Wenger's ability to get serious about building Arsenal a genuine trophy-winning defence. Now he will have to surprise me, and you.

Tomorrow, Wigan Athletic visit the Emirates stadium for Arsenal's 16th Premiership game of the season. Little over three weeks ago, Arsenal's babies beat Wigan's first team 3-0 in the Carling Cup.

However, by their standards, Wigan are on a remarkably good run of league form at present - 5 unbeaten in the Premiership. Manager Steve Bruce is doing an excellent job; his main problem will be keeping his squad together, which seems an almost impossible task.

Arsenal's main job will be to fulfill the players' often empty promises that they will win this match and put together something resembling a run of form. A defeat at home to Wigan tomorrow really is unthinkable.

The good news is that Arsenal's injuries are slowly clearing up, Adebayor is closer to match fitness, Toure is back, and the wonderful Eduardo may even make the bench for tomorrow's game. If anything can cheer up Arsenal supporters it will be the sight of Eduardo back on that pitch. But don't expect too much from the Croat/Brazilian. Arsenal's midfield is struggling to create as many chances as it was last season, but, unlike Bendtner, when Eduardo sniffs out a chance it usually ends up in the back of the net.

Eduardo coming back to full fitness and being as good as the player he once was would be a marvellous Christmas present for Arsenal fans. This is one recent Arsenal signing that Arsene Wenger got absolutely right. 

Arsenal will win tomorrow, even in this topsy turvy season I feel utterly convinced of that. The players absolutely dare not lose this match - they will be the laughing stock of England.