Wenger has faith in Fabio

Gunners chief backs England boss

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 5th September 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Wenger has faith in Fabio

Capello: Wenger backing

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Arsene Wenger is backing Fabio Capello to get England off to a flying start in their World Cup qualifiers.

The Italian coach has come under pressure less than a year into the job after a number of ineffectual displays in recent friendlies.

Capello's tactical nous, along with his team selections, have led some to believe that he has fallen into the same trap wihich has accounted for so many of his predecessors.

His first competitive game in charge of the Three Lions pitches him against European minnows Andorra at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona this Saturday.

Three points are expected to be a formality, with the greater test to come in Zagreb four days later as England return to Croatia for the first time since a shambolic 2-0 defeat during their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

Confidence

However, while Capello has his doubters, Arsenal boss Wenger is tipping the former AC Milan and Juventus boss to come good when it matters most.

"I have complete confidence in Capello to turn things right," Wenger told the Gunners' official website.

"England did not play well against the Czech Republic like we did not play against Fulham [in a 1-0 defeat on 23rd August] 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 and then they have nothing to lose in the next game."

Problem

Wenger's confidence in his fellow manager is not shared by 1966 World Cup winner Martin Peters, who still believes Capello is yet to bring the best out of Manchester United star Wayne Rooney.

"We've got a problem up front," he said in FourFourTwo magazine.

"I don't think he 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."