As Gordon Brown and Nicolas Sarkozy, the French President, wined, dined and discussed matters of national importance at the Emirates Stadium yesterday, Arsène Wenger also made himself active on the diplomatic front. “Leave William Gallas alone”, was the thrust of his manifesto and, like all good politicians, the Arsenal manager put forward a persuasive argument.

Gallas, the Arsenal captain, has received much criticism as the former Barclays Premier League leaders have fallen from grace, collecting only four points from their past five matches. His alarming mood swings — he staged a bizarre sit-down protest at the end of the 2-2 draw away to Birmingham City on February 23 — have also contributed to reports questioning his future with the armband.

With police vans, motorcycle outriders and a helicopter circling overhead making sure that Brown and Sarkozy were safe during their Anglo-French summit, Wenger made sure that Gallas received an official stamp of approval. “I believe that he did not have his best performance on Sunday [in the 2-1 defeat by Chelsea],” Wenger said. “And he would be the first to agree with that.

“But I don’t question his leadership nor his position in the team. You have the same William Gallas, the same people who said he was a good choice as captain when we were five points ahead in the league. When things don’t go well everybody is analysed a little bit more. But you have not to go too much overboard. He has my full support.”

Gallas was also the subject of unwanted headlines when, in an article in a monthly magazine, he appeared to point out weaknesses in the game of Theo Walcott, the young Arsenal and England striker. Wenger, again, defended Gallas. “I read what William said in this article and I agree completely with him,” he said. “He said that Walcott could be the next Wayne Rooney, but he has to work.

“What is wrong with that? You want, at 18 years of age, to not work? It’s unbelievable. I read the article very carefully and it didn’t say anything wrong on that. After the way it has been turned [reproduced elsewhere], yes. If you want to win the World Cup you have to accept that your players are highly exposed, you have to accept that you have to work. Is it an insult to say somebody has to work? I don’t know, I don’t think so.”

Gallas, a central defender, enjoyed one of his better games at the Stade de France on Wednesday night, when France beat England 1-0 in a friendly. It was not surprising, though, with Fabio Capello, the England manager, using only Wayne Rooney up front in the first half. Gallas, alongside Lilian Thuram, had an easy ride and it was not much more of a challenge against Michael Owen and Peter Crouch in the second period.

Wenger believes that the days of the international friendly are numbered, even though players still like to play for their countries. “I’m scared that, in the modern game, there is no room any more for friendlies,” he said. “Not because the countries take our players, just because people will not be interested in them any more. There is nothing at stake.

“When I speak to my players, they want to do well in the European Championship [and] the World Cup. It really matters to them. You could see a guy like David Beckham ready to die to get his 100th cap. Maybe I’m completely wrong but, in the long term, is it organisable for people to travel and spend their money to watch this kind of game?”

— Gilberto Silva, who captained Brazil in their 1-0 victory over Sweden at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, praised Anderson, his compatriot and a Manchester United midfield player, who was the target of booing from Arsenal fans. “When I played against Wales at Tottenham [Hotspur], they booed me, but he’s got the personality to do well, even with this aggravation,” the Arsenal midfield player said. “I’m really happy for him because in his first season he has done so well in a strange position. He used to play as a striker at FC Porto and even for Brazil.” Anderson shrugged off the jeers. “It didn’t bother me because I expected it at the home of one of our greatest rivals,” he said.