London - Arsenal defender William Gallas will not leave the club in January, according to quotes attributed to his agent Etienne Mendy in French paper Aujourd'hui Sport on Tuesday.

Gallas's position has been in doubt since his attack last weekend on what he named a lack of respect and professionalism shown by some of his team-mates in Arsenal's recent poor run of form.

As a result, he is no longer team captain as manager Arsene Wenger appointed Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas new skipper.

Galles was also widely criticised after his sit-down protest against the penalty awarded to Birmingham City in a Premier League match last season.

But Mendy insists reports linking him with a January return to France with Paris Saint Germain are inaccurate.

"William doesn't talk and the English media takes advantage of it," Mendy said.

"Since his bad mood gesture against Birmingham last year they have imagined his departure from Arsenal.

"It is fake. He has taken the critics and has already turned the page. Anyway, William is never better than with his back to the wall." (dpa)