ARSENAL defender William Gallas has revealed being handed the skippers armband at the Emirates gives him more satisfaction than winning two titles with Chelsea.

The French centre-half returns to Stamford Bridge tomorrow, admitting he is far more happy with life with the Gunners than he ever was with the Blues.

"I won two titles with Chelsea but the Arsenal captain's armband gave me greater recognition," Gallas told L'Equipe.

"Didier Drogba also says to me: 'You are the Arsenal captain after Thierry Henry, (Patrick) Vieira and (Tony) Adams. That is not just anything!' Actually, I have not completely realised that yet.

"After Thierry's departure, we had to invent something new. In one day I was not a player among a group any more but a man who has to take over and talk.

"I knew I could take it on because I played beside great captains like Laurent Blanc, John Terry and Marcel Desailly.

"For the very first time in my career the team comes first before myself, and two years ago I was not convinced I could play such a role.

"My first two seasons at Arsenal have been disrupted by injuries to my right groin muscle. I can still feel some pain but I can still improve and reach a new level.

"Being Arsenal's captain has changed everything. I have to be the one that leads the team to victory."