WENGER BACKS CAPELLO TO SUCCEED(Wenger - backing Capello.)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has expressed his "complete confidence" in Fabio Capello getting England off to a flying start in their World Cup qualifying campaign.
Capello's tactics were called into question following the 2-2 draw against Czech Republic last season but Wenger expects the Italian to get it right in his first competitive matches, starting with this weekend's clash against minnows Andorra then the potentially crucial clash against Croatia next week.

Overcoming Andorra at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona has been viewed as a formality, with the real test expected to be in Zagreb against the country that defeated England twice in Euro 2008 qualifiers.
"I have complete confidence in Capello to turn things right," Wenger told Arsenal.com. "England did not play well against the Czech Republic like we did not play against Fulham [last weekend] but it does not make Capello a bad manager.
"They have a relatively soft start against Andorra but the real test will be Croatia. So get three points first [on Saturday] and then they have nothing to lose in the next game."
Wenger's confidence is not shared by 1966 World Cup winner Martin Peters, who believes Capello needs to solve the problem of where to play Wayne Rooney.
"We've got a problem up front," he said in FourFourTwo magazine. "I don't think he (Capello) knows who to play up there with Wayne Rooney.
"I don't like seeing Rooney playing up there on his own because he gets frustrated.
"He needs a partner, but I'm not sure we've got the right players to link up with him.
"Michael Owen is a proven goalscorer, but he is injury prone and we don't know if he can play two games in a week."

By Mike McGrath, PA Sport, Barcelona

From sportinglife

Nasri is man on a mission

Arsenal new-boy targets important international role

Samir Nasri hopes his summer move to Arsenal will allow him to become an established French international.
The 21-year-old arrived at Emirates Stadium from Marseille during pre-season, bringing with him a reputation as of the finest young talents in Europe.
A bright start to his career in England, including a debut goal against West Brom, has led to inevitable comparisons with his veteran compatriot and former Gunners star Robert Pires.
Nasri admits he is flattered to be held in such high regard and hopes to go on to emulate the achievements of his countryman.
Special
"Getting my first goal was special to me, I could not have wished for a better start," he told L'Equipe.
"All the talk has been very flattering, especially when you consider what Pires achieved at Arsenal.
"I am following a special training programme to help my development. The English league is very difficult compared to Ligue 1, with more movement and intensity.
"The opportunity to play at Arsenal should help me reach the highest international level. I am not far off, but I hope to have an important role in the French team in the future."
Praise
Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits he has plans to deploy Nasri in a more central role once the youngster has adapted to life in England.
"With us I think it is best if Samir cuts his teeth on the flanks," he said.
"That doesn't mean I will not use him in the centre. However, we are satisfied with the way things are going at present.
"He has fit perfectly into the team mould. I can only praise him for his talent and intelligence."



By Patrick Haond


From skysports

Euro star Fabregas aims to reign with Spain

Cesc Fabregas has already conquered Europe wearing a red shirt once and he will be aiming to do it again this season, only this time with his club.
The midfielder, who helped Spain to glory at Euro 2008 in the summer, has joined his compatriots once again this week. They face Bosnia-Herzegovina and Armenia on Saturday and Wednesday respectively and Fabregas sees similarities between the style of play of his club and his country.
“The Spanish side has very, very good players,” Fabregas told the official matchday programme. “I enjoy playing with them and there are definitely comparisons with Arsenal, although it’s a bit quicker with my club.
“The emphasis with Spain is maybe more on keeping the ball while at Arsenal we’re committed to playing on the counter and looking for attacking solutions all the time. The players are similar as they’re technically good and very creative.”
Before Euro 2008 some critics suggested that Fabregas and his Spanish team-mate Xavi were too similar to strike up an effective partnerhip. But the Arsenal.com Player of the Season was never in any doubt that the duo would complement each other.
“Good players can always play together if they want to and are intelligent,” he said. “I think that the coach was actually very intelligent himself in this case; he knew that Xavi and I are a bit different. Xavi is very good at keeping the ball, while every time we were losing or drawing he’d send me on because I can play a bit quicker, a bit longer.
“I respect Xavi a lot and [Luis] Aragones too - he made the right decisions at the right moments and what it comes down to is that we are a team.”

From arsenal.com