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.
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."
