Sol gets Wenger's backing

Arsene Wenger has every confidence Sol Campbell can produce a vintage display when he returns at the heart of Arsenal’s defence for tomorrow night’s Champions League semi-final second leg with Villarreal in Spain.

The England centre-back comes back into the side in place of the injured Philippe Senderos, who faces at least three weeks out with a knee problem.

Campbell has only just regained full fitness himself following an operation on a broken nose, which was the latest in a long line of injury setbacks for the 31-year-old in what has been a difficult campaign.

The Arsenal defender was given an extended leave of absence to regain his focus following a disappointing run of form, which lead to him being substituted at half-time during the defeat to West Ham at Highbury on February 1 – Campbell exiting the stadium after being told of Wenger’s decision.

When he did finally return to action at Portsmouth on April 12, fit again after protracted rehabilitation on an ankle problem and then a badly bruised toe picked up in training, it was an assured performance from the England man.

However, an accidental clash with substitute Svetoslav Todorov curtailed his comeback during the closing stages, and saw him walk off the Fratton Park pitch with a blooded nose which would later need surgery.

Arsenal will tomorrow night defend a 1-0 lead from the first leg, with Wenger expecting a more attack-minded approach from the Yellow Submarine this time around, which may keep the Gunners backline busy.

Wenger, though, is in no doubt Campbell is more than capable of again producing the kind of display which made him so dependable for both club and country.

The Arsenal boss said: “I feel Sol may be missing a game or two, but can compensate with experience.

“It is not a close decision for me with Sol Campbell.

“It is obvious, but he has just come back from injury and his experience will be needed.”

Wenger added: “We have shown character and Juventus and Real Madrid and we need it again. It will be a more intimidating atmosphere because it is a small stadium, and therefore I feel the heat will be higher.

“That is why I decided to go for Sol Campbell because he has that kind of experience.”

The Arsenal boss accepted: “It is a little gamble because he does not have the number of games you would want him to have, but physically he looks all right.

“He had a game at Portsmouth, so I think he will be okay.”

The Arsenal boss firmly believes Campbell can produce the goods in what is clearly a crunch encounter for the Gunners, who missed the chance to close the gap on fourth-placed Tottenham when their Barclays Premiership clash ended all-square at the weekend.

Wenger declared: “Is there not a better opportunity for him to show his strengths and quality than in a semi-final where you know you have to defend well? I do not think so.

“I trust his quality and his strengths. In his position I would not dream of a better way to come back.”

Despite a relatively poor display this season by Campbell’s high standards, Wenger believes form is temporary but class is permanent.

He maintained: “Sol was our central defender when we had a 49-game unbeaten run – that is why I still believe that everybody has complete confidence in Sol.”

Wenger insists the scenario facing Campbell tomorrow is much different from what happened back in February.

He said: “The circumstances have changed.

“I agree with you that he has shown a weakness in his life that day. That can happen to everybody and I feel that everybody in our side is capable of understanding that.

“He does not walk away just because he is just fed up.”

With the deadline for the World Cup squad fast approaching, Wenger knows how desperate Campbell is to show consistency over the few remaining weeks of the season.

The Arsenal boss said: “In his mind certainly is the desire to go the World Cup, so of course for him it is an important game.

“But I would like him to forget that and just focus on playing a good football game.”