Mathieu Flamini: Acid test at Bridge for Gunners

Mathieu Flamini believes the acid test of how much damage William Gallas has done to Arsenal's spirit comes at Chelsea tomorrow.

Gallas was stripped of the captaincy by manager Arsene Wenger for his outspoken criticism of team-mates.

And Flamini - who quit the Emirates last summer to join AC Milan - said: "The pitch always gives you the answer.

"Let's see at Stamford Bridge what the answer is.

"If they win maybe what has happened still won't have been a good thing but at least caused a reaction."

The Frenchman, who keeps in touch with new captain Cesc Fabregas, admits he is upset by the Arsenal chaos.

Flamini (above) said: "I'm still an Arsenal fan after playing there for four years.

"It is difficult for me to see what is going on but at big clubs sometimes you have difficult periods. The most important thing is to have unity, to have a good spirit in the team and keep going."

But Flamini, 24, challenged his old pals to get on with the task of winning silverware.

He added: "When you play in England the most important thing is first to win the battle. When you win the battle after you can play.

"But if you don't win it first you can't play."