Arsène Wenger has raised fresh concerns over William Gallas's fitness, as the central defender's advisers attempt to secure a new long-term deal for him. The Arsenal manager described the problem that has kept Gallas out since 10 February and will continue to do so for at least the next two matches, against West Ham United on Saturday and Birmingham City on Saturday week, as an "endless calf injury".
Wenger has complained before at the way the problem has not responded to treatment but the timing of his latest comments could be significant, as Gallas's agents are in contract talks. The 32-year-old Frenchman, who becomes a free agent in the summer and has attracted the interest of Roma, among other clubs, wants at least another two years at Arsenal.
Wenger, though, is "resolute" in his policy of not offering more than rolling one-year deals to players over 30. He would, however, grant Gallas two years if he would agree to a major reduction in his weekly wage.
"Gallas will not be available this week or at Birmingham," Wenger said. "It is going on and on. It is a concern. It is an endless calf strain so we need Sol Campbell and Mikaël Silvestre to be highly ready to help us out."
Wenger went into the detail of a consultant as he attempted to explain Gallas's injury. "It's a calf strain," he said, "liquid between two muscles. When you rupture fibres, you bleed. When you inflame it a little bit, the envelope of every fibre swells and that creates a pressure on the muscle. You have to be careful not to create a pocket where this liquid doesn't move out any more. The fibres are not gone and he has a bit of pressure between two muscles."
Wenger has assured the France manager, Raymond Domenech, that he has nothing to worry about with regard to Gallas's participation at the World Cup but, before that, Arsenal look certain to be without one of their key defenders for at least the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, which will be the week after next.
Wenger, though, has been boosted by the likely return to the team against West Ham of the captain, Cesc Fábregas, and two other midfielders, Tomas Rosicky and Alex Song.
Fábregas has missed the last two matches against Porto and Hull City with hamstring trouble while Rosicky has had a groin problem. Song has been serving a two-match suspension.
"Cesc and Tomas should be available for Saturday," Wenger said. "From the last game, we don't lose anybody. So normally we should have Fábregas, Carlos Vela and Rosicky back. Plus, of course, we have Song coming back from suspension."
