By Sportsmail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 04:39 EST, 30 October 2012 | UPDATED: 04:39 EST, 30 October 2012

Arsene Wenger is wrong to focus on qualifying for the Champions League over winning trophies, according to Tottenham defender William Gallas.

Wenger claimed last week that securing a berth in the top four is more important than winning the FA Cup or League Cup.

But Gallas believes landing silverware should be all player's No 1 priority, not finishing second, third or fourth.

You're wrong! Gallas has slammed Wenger's attitude towards domestic trophies

You're wrong! Gallas has slammed Wenger's attitude towards domestic trophies

Gallas said: 'To finish second or fourth is not the same as finishing top, as champions. It is completely different. You are so happy to lift a trophy - it is the real thing to do.

'For me, a trophy is something you lift at the end of the season and I know it's a fantastic feeling.

'It doesn't happen many times through your career, so for me to finish second or fourth isn't the same as finishing top, as champions. It's completely different.

'You feel different because you are the best team - the best player. You are so happy to lift a trophy - it's the real thing to do.

'It is a long time since Tottenham have lifted a trophy and I don't know which one we are going to lift.

'But for sure we want to lift one - any one will be pretty good so we will wait and see.'

Victory over Southampton on Sunday saw Spurs move into fourth position in the Barclays Premier League and the former Arsenal and Chelsea defender believes the club are strong enough to battle on a number of fronts this season.

Gallas said: 'Why not? We have to be strong in the heart.

'The manager is a competitor - he is a warrior - he wants to win everything. Every game, we have meetings and it's the same - he wants to win, win, win.

'We will try to win all competitions, but we know it's very difficult because we play so many games and some players are very tired.

On the defensive: Wenger has had to defend his record over the last seven years

On the defensive: Wenger has had to defend his record over the last seven years

On the defensive: Wenger has had to defend his record over the last seven years

'They play for the national team as well, so it's not easy. But when you are professional and you play for a big club you have to be ready for this.

'All the players know what they have to do. If they are tired on the pitch, they use their heads. That means they are very clever and have experience, which is very good for them.

'After our draw in Europe and our loss to Chelsea we had to win at Southampton. The manager talked to us before the game and said we have to try to get back to winning ways.

'We want to finish the season well, so it is very important for us to win - to try to win every game.

'We have to play Norwich next, which will be a difficult game. Then we have Wigan, so we just have to be on top form at home.'

Winning feeling: The Gunners lifted the FA Cup in 2005

Winning feeling: The Gunners lifted the FA Cup in 2005


The comments below have not been moderated.

Haha, a spurs player talking about trophies! Ho Ho!! - Ghost, Area 51, 30/10/2012 12:03 So how's your trophy cabinet been for the last 7 years then? Very dusty I would imagine......You've probably sold the vacuum cleaner to help pay for the plastic stadium you are in hock to!

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As an Arsenal fan the article is irrelevant though the habit of winning is something that cannot be overstated. Whilst CL qualification is financially, hugely rewarding (and lets face it that is our boards number 1 priority) as well as providing an advantage in attracting players (albeit not the very top ones) I cannot help but feel that Cl qualification has become AW's obsession.Whilst top 3/4 is admirable taking into account the spending power of some of our rivals, we have not for many years had a team of winners. Anyhow I know many of my fellow supporters will disagree and point to the forthcoming FFP regulations but in reality who can really see the likes of Chelsea and Man City receiving anymore than inconsequential fines should they not meet these regulations.

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Laughable - he wasn't talking about Wenger at all or making any reference to him, he was simply asked about the importance of winning trophies - and gave a fairly standard answer! As an Arsenal fan, my point of view is yes, it would be lovely to win a trophy (even a little one!) as its been a while, as everyone and their dog likes to remind us at every given opportunity! BUT, and its a big but - is it worth sacrificing that Champions League money for the COC trophy? Heart says yes but head most definately says no.

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Don't think you win trophies for just finishing 2nd, 3rd or 4th hence no trophies for nearly 8 years

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Sure it's nice to win trophies, but I feel sure that most fans would rather have CL football rather than FA or League Cup, the team Gallas plays for has NEVER won the premiership and their last 'proper' trophy was way back in the last millennium. 1961 tick tock.

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- AWAY END , London, United Kingdom, I'm not saying what Wenger is doing is wrong, I'm saying maybe a different approach is needed. Get the boys to win a trophy and see how we respond from there, a different approach!! I'm in no way glorifying Mourinio, but at Porto he didn't have an oil barren but won the Champions league!! So he must have discovered something works by installing a winning mentality. Regarding sacking managers, Sir Alf got sacked after winning the world cup, managers have been sacked after winning champions leagues. The relationship between employers and their demands and employee is not my argument. I have nothing but respect for Arsene and what he's done and achieved, (truth!!) but he's no angel in my eyes. Don't forget he's also lost a champions league final, uefa cup final, 2 league cup finals, an fa cup final, countless semi finals, never retained the league when in good positions, not convinced top players to stay. So a good manager, yes!! Exceptional manager?

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ive got a fun game, read through he article and try to find a single reference to wenger.

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- Spencer , Reading. Who was actually comparing spuds to Arsenal except you? The point being, winning trophies is what players want, the influence of money is integrated into our game now for sure, but as a PLAYER the feeling of winning surely has to be better than finishing fourth. It's what you want to give your fans and family. It's what you dreamed of as a kid. I'm sure no 7 year old dreams of earning 150k a week!! Glorifying being the 3rd best team in the country is everything that's wrong. Seriously, 3rd best?? I question fans like you!! If another teams supporter comments about Arsenal I'll defend us to the hilt, only we can criticise our kids, but every Gooner has his opinion, agree to disagree, but it's your opinion. Arsenal reject?? Yeah right! deluded fans who feel only they have a voice to comment. Even if you don't agree with something, voice something constructive damn it!! It may be a Micky mouse trophy, but teaching the team to win must be top of the agenda at the mo

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I'm a spurs fan and what a complete non story! He didn't even mention wenger! Just the DM making up stuff as usual!! The question he was probably answering was would you rather spurs qualify for champions league or win a trophy? Nothing about arsenal or wenger!

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Comedy Cup or Champions League football? Ask any club in the nation what they'd prefer. Gallas would have changed his tune had Spurs actually qualified for the Champions League. Just sounds like a load of self-serving nonsense from a player known for his pettiness.

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