Gallas was the prominent absentee when the team coach departed north London having seemingly paid a high price for his outspoken comments over the last couple of days.

The 31-year-old revealed rifts in the Gunners dressing room, a blazing row during the interval of the 4-4 draw with rivals Tottenham and a problem with an unnamed 25-year-old team-mate unsettling the squad - putting Robin van Persie, Bacary Sagna and Emmanuel Eboue in the frame.

Manuel Almunia or Gael Clichy could take the armband this afternoon, as Cesc Fabregas is suspended and Kolo Toure injured, and although it is a symbolic gesture it could have more serious consequences for Gallas.

Former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn believes the centre-back`s career at the club is now in doubt.

"It shows how disappointed Arsene Wenger is," Winterburn told Sky Sports News.

"He must be seriously hurt to take the captaincy away. It could be the end of him at Arsenal."

Gallas has been quoted in the Evening Standard as being open to an eventual return to France for the final stages of his career, which adds fuel to questions of his long-term commitment to Arsenal.

He said: "It's true that I'd like to return to France for one or perhaps two seasons to finish my career."

Gallas has caused a stir in France as well this week with his autobiography.

In that he talks of unrest in the France camp during their disastrous Euro 2008 finals, singling out a player who he felt was disrespecting older members of the squad.

It led to a training-ground confrontation between the pair.

He did not name the player but said: "I was also 20 years old once. I would never have allowed myself to speak in this tone to a footballer who was older than me."

Arsenal and France team-mate Samir Nasri was 20 during the finals in Austria and Switzerland.

Boss Wenger himself has an alternative for the role of the skipper, insisting the game is too fast for one person to take sole responsibility on the field.

"It's so quick everywhere, there is less time for one person to lead the team," said Wenger. "You need more shared leadership on the pitch."

It is not the first time Gallas' role as captain has been scrutinised.

His position was reviewed at the end of last season after his infamous tantrum at Birmingham where he was bizarrely at the other end of the pitch in protest when James McFadden scored a last-gasp penalty to draw.

Gallas found himself in the headlines again when he was pictured with a cigarette on a night out.