Gallas desperate for final starting place

Arsenal defender William Gallas believes he should play in tomorrow's Carling Cup final.

The 29-year-old Frenchman is set to be left out against his former club as manager Arsene Wenger sticks with the youngsters who won their way through to the Millennium Stadium showpiece.

But after recent injury problems, Gallas insists he should feature from the start.

He said: 'I want to be in the starting XI. Not because we are playing Chelsea but because I'm suffering from a lack of playing time after three months out.

'It strikes me as natural I should play in this game, so I can return to peak form. But the decision is down to the manager.

'I see it as a chance to get back the rhythm I lack.'