Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Diego Maradona, Pele… William Gallas?! Darren Bent says Arsenal defender taking no.10 was ‘disrespectful’ after Andy Carroll

16/09/2022 19:29

Darren Bent joked that he’s ‘annoyed’ at Andy Carroll taking the no.2 shirt at Reading, but nothing compares to William Gallas’ ‘disrespectful’ no.10. Carroll has ended his most recent spell as a free agent by returning to Reading, the side he left for an uneventful time at West Brom last season. Carroll’s shirt number has caused more surprise than his signing@readingfc The club mocked up a WhatsApp conversation showing it was his kids’ decision@readingfc But unlike his first unveiling at Reading where he took the no.9 shirt, the former Liverpool and Newcastle striker instead picked a number seven lower. There was some consternation online at the 33-year-old picking a number traditionally and almost exclusively worn by defenders but it was later revealed it was his children’s choice. Carroll’s fellow former England striker, Bent, was having none of it though, but singled out one other shirt number offence which was far worse. When asked by talkSPORT co-host Andy Goldstein the lowest number Bent wore during a career which saw him join the Premier League’s 100-goal club, he replied: “Lowest number, probably nine, Sunday league I wore eight but that’s because of Wrighty [Ian Wright]. But Carroll’s choice? “I don’t understand that and it frustrates me,” he said. “It annoys me, he’s a forward, no.2 is a right back.” However, the Arsenal fan was even more annoyed when Gunners legend Denis Bergkamp gave up his no.10 shirt, only to see it picked up by a defender. William Gallas’ no.10 caused much more offence Most read in Football problem Arsenal suffer new injury blow and defender faces race to be fit for Tottenham game RESPECT Beckham joins thousands in queuing 12 hours to see 'special' Queen lying in state candid Trippier explains why he left Atletico for Newcastle move and discusses wages Confused 'Why watch club football?' Southgate criticised for picking Maguire and not White Error Nike disappointed England's new kits leaked with unveiling changed for state funeral nice The heartwarming reason for Sancho's celebration as he dedicates goal to young fan The Frenchman surprisingly inherited Bergkamp’s number “One of the most disrespectful ones ever was when William Gallas took no.10 [at Arsenal] and then played centre half,” he said. “You think about some of the players… the best players are usually no.10 and he went and took it and played centre half with it. “It’s not acceptable, no.10 for a centre half is not acceptable. Diego Maradona, Pele, 10s, Gallas, centre half 10. “Ronaldinho, Messi, Gallas, come on. It’s bizarre.”