We like our Arsenal players to bleed red and white. For it to mean as much to them as it does to we fans. So last summer, when William Gallas was voicing concerns about the strength of the squad and making it clear that another fourth place was not acceptable for this football club, I did not think he shouldn’t be rocking the boat. I thought, he’s speaking like a supporter. He was subsequently made captain by Arsene Wenger to the surprise of many.

After the events at St Andrews yesterday, I needed some time out myself. Half an hour away from anyone just to try and get my head around what happened at Birmingham. It would not have been a good idea for anyone to attempt interacting with me then.

But Gallas lost it in a way we should not expect from a leader. Frustration and anger is fine. Petulance and childishness should be the preserve of those in the stands. Undoubtedly two points were dropped due to a mixture of factors, and it does seem as if the fates are conspiring against the Gunners.

The team may have a three point lead at the top of the league, but they are up against it now. At such times, strong men are needed to steer a course through choppy waters. Not cry babies. What Arsenal lacked in the run-in of the 2002-03 season was the calming figure of Tony Adams. Had TA remained fit enough to prolong his career by a further 12 months, Manchester United would have been finished second in spite of the best efforts of Mike Riley.

There is now every indication that the Gunners could sacrifice a great chance of winning the title again in similar fashion. This is the price of inexperience and a lack of authority at the club when they are in a tight spot.

There is a popular view that Arsenal are better off with Gael Clichy than Ashley Cole. It is as emotive a view as some of the stuff that’s been posted on websites since yesterday’s match concluded. Two years ago, Clichy’s inexperience almost cost his team a place in the Champions League final in the dying moments of the game in Villarreal. He’s still learning.

Emmanuel Adebayor is still a comparatively young forward without the true intelligence of a top drawer striker. The really great players will use the percentages and have the knowledge to distinguish between the time to be selfish and the time to pass on the glory.

William Gallas has no excuse. What a young squad needs at this time is leaders. It appeared to me that the loss of two points seemed to upset the skipper more than the fate of his stricken comrade.

A word here for Bacary Sagna. Eduardo’s injury was obviously sickening, but the man who did most to comfort him as others could only look away due to the horror was a guy who lost his brother less than a fortnight ago. There is a man with the qualities it takes to be an example to others. There is a man who has every right to feel sorry for himself. William Gallas should think about his compatriot’s example next time he throws a hissy fit over a football match.

Finally, Eduardo. I hope that, with the medical advances of recent years, this young man is able to return to competitive football and be the player he was. The best case scenario is that he may be able to return to training before the end of the calendar year.

In the 2002 World Cup match between England and Brazil, I recall Ronaldino getting a straight red after going into a tackle with Danny Mills with his studs showing. At the time, the dismissal was regarded as harsh. Thierry Henry was sent off in the same tournament for a similar challenge.

When studs up tackles are made, there is very rarely any intent to hurt the opponent. It is an attempt to get the ball. When a drunken driver gets in a car, they never intend to hit anybody, the reason they start the car is because they want to get home. But they are taking a chance that could have serious consequences and are thus being negligent, inconsiderate and irresponsible. It doesn’t require malicious intent to change the course of people’s lives, just ignorance.

Martin Taylor may or may not be a nice guy, but the reason studs up tackles should be banned from football should be pretty apparent to everyone now. The drunk driver never intends to harm anyone, but he’s prepared to take a chance. On that basis, he doesn’t need to put someone in hospital to get banned from driving if the authorities spot him being reckless before his actions impact on others. So it should be in sport. Then players like Eduardo would not suffer the horrific fate that should only ever occur as a result of a genuine freak accident (as I believe was the case with David Busst). Let’s see more immediate red cards for such challenges and less benefit of the doubt because ‘he’s not that type of player’.