Bentley - Cesc will be Fab

Fabregas: Given Bentley support

When appointing Cesc, Arsene Wenger said he didn't believe in captains who screamed and waved their hands in the air; he said he believed more in a player who can dictate the play with clever passes and lead by example.

David Bentley
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Cesc Fabregas has been backed to be a success as Arsenal skipper by north London rival David Bentley.

Spurs midfielder Bentley believes the Spaniard will prove a fine leader even though he is not as vocal as former Arsenal captains Tony Adams and Patrick Vieira.

After seeing Fabregas inspire the Gunners to a 2-1 victory at Chelsea this weekend - a win which has re-ignited their title hopes - Bentley told Zoo magazine: "He is not exactly in the old-school English mould of a captain, but I reckon he's a top choice all the same.

"When appointing Cesc, Arsene Wenger said he didn't believe in captains who screamed and waved their hands in the air; he said he believed more in a player who can dictate the play with clever passes and lead by example.

"That might sound odd from a manager who has had incredible success with chest-beaters such as Tony Adams and Patrick Viera - but I think that he's right.

Screamers

He added: "Those guys were vocal, sure, but they also had such an aura about them that you felt like you'd follow them through a brick wall if they asked you to."

However, Bentley believes the days of a team captain being the one to below orders to his team-mates have gone.

He said: "The modern game doesn't need screamers and guys who clench their fists - it needs quality men who get on with doing the right things, on and off the pitch.

"I suspect Fabregas can do this and become a long-term, successful skipper at The Emirates."

Read the full article in ZOO magazine, out now