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Wenger praise for Beckham

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists David Beckham was a 'model' to his squad during the time he spent training with the Gunners.

Los Angeles Galaxy and England midfielder Beckham spent a number of weeks over the New Year training with Arsenal in a bid to maintain his fitness as it was the American close season.

Beckham, who is chasing his 100th international cap, was keen to prove his match fitness to England manager Fabio Capello for the friendly with Switzerland in February.

Capello, though, opted to omit Beckham from his squad because he did not believe the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star was physically ready to take part in competitive football.

Natural

However, Beckham is expected to rack up a century of appearances for England in the friendly with France in Paris on Wednesday after Capello opted to recall the 32-year-old and Wenger has welcomed the decision.

"At first, his 100th cap would be a great happiness to me," Wenger told L'Equipe.

"I have always appreciated the nice side of David. To me, it was natural to welcome him to train with ourselves.

"I even believed he could give a boost to the group. It was an appeal in our daily life.

Heart

"To me, he remains someone who has always played with his heart. If for one second, I would have supposed he would act as a star in Arsenal's training sessions, I would never have thought to add him to my players' group.

"But it happened as I could imagine. He was an example. He worked like a dog, arrived first and left last.

"He has been extremely discreet, sociable, almost a model. Everyone was happy.

"There is a huge gap between the man in the front page of newspapers and the boy who has been in our changing-room."