WILLIAM GALLAS believes the British media is to blame for two former Arsenal players failing to reach their potential.
The former Gunners captain believes too much expectation is placed on young talent in the Premier League.
Gallas played in the Prem between 2001-2013 for Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham – but there are two Arsenal players that stand out for their talent.
The Frenchman was impressed by the talent shown by Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere at an early age, but feels both did not reach their potential.
Gallas claims the media put too much pressure on Walcott, 33, to become a world class player, and suggests the weight of expectation was difficult for the winger to deal with as a youngster.
He told Genting Casino: “When I was with Theo Walcott at Arsenal, they [the media] expected him to be the best player in the Premier League.
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“But there is a problem when they speak too quickly about players they think are going to be top-class. He was still young, 16 or 17.
“I felt he needed time to let him get to another level, and not to put that pressure on him. They put pressure on them, indirectly, when they write these things about him, even if they are being very humble.
“So for me I’m not really surprised Walcott hasn’t had the career he was touted to have had.”
Big things were also expected of Wilshere, 30, when he burst onto the scene before his career was derailed by injury.
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Gallas, 45, described the former England international as an “unbelievable” player but claims he also did not reach his potential.
The former defender added: “There are many players I played with who didn’t fulfil their potential, there’s also Jack Wilshere.
“I trained with him at 16 and he was unbelievable with the ball. But what’s happened to him is similar to Walcott.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
