Arsenal skipper Gallas admits he honed his leadership skills at the Bridge

William Gallas left Chelsea under a cloud - but he believes his five years at Stamford Bridge taught him a lot about being captain of Arsenal.

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Before Sunday's clash between his old club and his current club, Gallas said: "You have to have some examples to be a good captain. I think John Terry watched Marcel Desailly. I watched Marcel as well because he was our captain and tried to be the best.

"To be a good captain you have to take something from all the others."

He added: "I think everybody knows John. I played with him, he was a good leader when I was there. All the time he put himself in front and that is very important for the team and I think he did a good job with the England team.

"Players look at John and are inspired. I think Chelsea players will tell you that."

Gallas was a surprise choice as captain but has grown into the role with great authority and has emerged as manager Arsene Wenger's undisputed on-field lieutenant.

He said: "You know that sometimes to be captain you have to be honest, that is most important. And you have to see when something is wrong and to speak with your team and at the moment we speak very well.

"It is very important for them, they are still young but they have some good quality and for that you have sometimes to speak with them to help them, both on the pitch and outside of the pitch. I try my best to do that."

Gallas affectionately calls his team-mates "the boys". This is a reflection not only of the precocity of a group in which some have barely started shaving - but also of his own status as Arsenal's father figure.

He said: "I am the captain and I try to show them how they have to play, sometimes by being angry with them.

"It is difficult to play very well during all the season because the season is too long and I think sometimes you have to be very strong in your mind, you know, and I try to show them that way."