Is there anything more toe-curlingly annoying than defenders wearing squad numbers that aren't designed for defenders?

If you play at the back, the rules should be pretty simple. You can wear any number for from 2-6. You can potentially pick one of those stupidly high squad numbers if you wish, but in terms of the classic 1-11, there are certain numbers that should be off limits to defenders.

Like the number 10, for instance.

Sadly, back in 2006, someone forgot to inform William Gallas of this fact, when he joined Arsenal from Chelsea. After he moved across London as part of the deal which saw Ashley Cole join The Blues, the French defender decided to wear the No.10 shirt for The Gunners.

The No.10 shirt which had only just been vacated by the great Dennis Bergkamp, who had retired just a couple of months earlier.

A proper No.10… (
Image:
Allsport)
…and a less 'conventional' No.10 (
Image:
Getty Images)

Now, more than decade later, Gallas has finally attempted to justify the remarkable decision to take the shirt of perhaps the greatest No.10 in Premier League history.

And his justification is somewhat questionable.

In an interview with Four Four Two magazine, Gallas was answering questions sent in by fans. One such question asked how he felt about taking the No.10 shirt that Bergkamp had worn with such distinction.

Gallas explains that he wanted to wear No.13, but it was already taken by Aleksandr Hleb. That left him with a choice between No.3 (which had just been vacated by Cole) or No.10.

PUT IT DOWN, WILLIAM (
Image:
Reuters)

Despite being a defender - and NOT an attacking playmaker - Gallas went for the latter.

"I saw it as a great opportunity," he explains, "as I'd already worn the same number earlier in my career, and my daughter had been born on November 10.

"At the same time, it was good for Arsenal that I wore the number. If a young player is given the No.10 shirt, it'll be far too much pressure on his shoulders.

"But to me, it didn't make any difference at all."

"No.3? I spit on your No.3" (
Image:
AFP/Getty)

Now, if it was simply a tribute to his daughter, we would be fully on board with Gallas' decision to wear No.10.

We could almost live with his choice on the basis of him wearing the number in the past.

But the idea that he chose it simply so no-one else would have to wear Bergkamp's number? And all while the man who regularly played at left-back had No.3 available to him?

Hmm…