Gallas: cheers young Arsenal

William Gallas has insisted that the young Arsenal team are more than capable of winning the Champions League despite only managing a 0-0 draw against Slavia Prague. Gallas feels that qualification for the last-16 was the most important thing for Arsenal.

"The most important thing was to qualify," the France defender said on the club’s official website.

"It was not easy, we played against a strong team and it was very difficult for us to play how we play normally but the more important thing was to qualify.

"I told them [the young players] before the game to be careful, because it would be a difficult match.

“We won 7-0 at home, so we knew they were going to defend and have a big match in front of their own fans. I told them to be ready for the fight and they did the job very well.

"The young guys are ready, and have shown their character. It was not easy to play in this stadium, it was cold, but I feel they are ready.

"We are very happy [to qualify], but it is not finished yet as we have two more games to play in the Champions League. We have to be ready for the big fight again when we play Sevilla because they lost to us and will now want to beat us in their stadium.

"But for now we can rest a little bit and think about the Premier League."