The 31-year-old France defender, along with team-mates Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna, is currently away on international duty preparing for the World Cup qualifier against Romania.

It will be a welcome change of scene for the Gunners skipper, who by his own admission has not enjoyed the best of openings to the new campaign.

Gallas - signed as part of the deal which saw full-back Ashley Cole head in the opposite direction to Chelsea two years ago - was perhaps a controversial choice to succeed legend Thierry Henry as Arsenal's permanent captain.

Last season, he famously lost his composure at Birmingham when he broke down in the centre circle, but the veteran defender has always received the backing of manager Arsene Wenger, who sees Gallas as crucial to the development of the youngsters in the squad.

Despite weighing in with some crucial European goals - including a last-gasp equaliser in the opening Champions League game in Kiev, the centre-half has at times been found wanting in defensive duties, particularly from set-pieces.

It is, though, something which Gallas recognises and intends to improve on when Arsenal resume domestic action in a fortnight.

"I can say we have not seen the Gallas from 2006 this term so far.

"In a few matches, I have not been so good," he told L'Equipe.

"With the French team in Sweden and Austria, I was not very good at some moments.

"I would close my eyes if I would say I am strong. That would mean I don't recognise I did have a few bad performances - as recently with my club against Hull City. Maybe I feel a little tired."

Gallas added: "Do I experience the most difficult period since I joined Arsenal? We could say yes.

"Above all I miss consistency. One match is good, the other one is not so good. However, I am doing everything to get to my best again."

Arsenal have nearly all their first-team squad away on international duty, including England's man of the moment Theo Walcott.

However, forward Robin van Persie has been made unavailable for Holland's clash with Iceland in Rotterdam because of a hamstring problem, but could still feature next week against Norway.

Samir Nasri, though, has remained with the Gunners as he was not called up for either France's full or Under-21 squad as the midfielder continues to build up match fitness after a knee injury.

There was more positive news for Wenger this week when Mikael Silvestre, yet to make his debut after joining from Manchester United, enjoyed a run-out for the reserves against Stoke at Barnet.

The 31-year-old, who had a slight muscular strain, has been an unused substitute for the past few matches, but is now expected to be in contention to feature against Everton when the Barclays Premier League action resumes on October 18.

"I feel good. I got through the 90 minutes without any discomfort or pain and physically I felt at the same level as my team-mates so it felt good," Silvestre told the club's official website, www.arsenal.com.

"The boss asked me if I wanted to play because it was a long time since I last played competitively, back in July with United.

"Before I get back with the first team it was good for me to play and get something other than training."

Silvestre added: "It is a good level in the reserve league and getting to know my young team-mates was a good experience."

The match also saw Portugal Under-21 midfielder Amaury Bischoff, signed after his contract expired at Werder Bremen, make a first appearance in an Arsenal shirt following a pre-standing groin injury.

Meanwhile, striker Eduardo could also soon be back in action after his rehabilitation from a broken leg.

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic said: "Eduardo is making good progress, he's back in training and I think he's likely to play again some time around Christmas."