Wenger backs Adams for success

Arsene Wenger believes former Arsenal skipper Tony Adams has all the ingredients to succeed as Portsmouth boss – but warned the transition from successful captain to great manager is not always an easy one.

Arsenal boss Wenger will go head to head with his former skipper at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow desperate to compound Adams’ recent problems by taking three points.

A late Aston Villa equaliser yesterday prevented the Gunners from going level on points with Martin O’Neill’s side as the two teams fight it out for a top-four place, making tomorrow’s clash with Pompey all the more crucial.

Portsmouth, meanwhile, are without a win in December having taken just one point from their last four Premier League games.

Wenger has no doubt Adams, who captained Arsenal to the 1998 league and cup double under the Frenchman, has the potential to enjoy the same success as a manager as he did as a player. But there will be no room for sentiment once the teams are on the pitch.

“For now we are focusing on our game,” said Wenger. “We have one aim: to beat Portsmouth at home on Sunday.”

On Adams, the former Monaco boss said: “Natural managers do not exist, I have never met one. If a natural manager exists, he must be in paradise.

“He (Adams) was a great leader but there is a difference (between being a captain and manager).

“He will certainly be a great manager and he has the qualities needed to become one.”

Wenger will welcome back striker Emmanuel Adebayor from suspension for the match after he missed yesterday’s 2-2 draw at Villa.

However, Wenger is likely to be without Alex Song, who was forced off at Villa Park, and has doubts over Johan Djourou and Gael Clichy (both calf).

Cesc Fabregas (knee), Theo Walcott (shoulder), Eduardo (broken leg) and Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) are long-term casualties.

The Gunners remain three points behind Villa after failing to beat the midlanders in the thrilling Boxing Day clash.

Wenger’s side somehow found themselves 2-0 up at Villa Park despite the home side dominating the first half and spurning several chances.

But, after goals by Denilson and Abou Diaby against the run of play, Villa regrouped and roared back in style with a penalty by Gareth Barry before defender Zat Knight’s stoppage-time equaliser.

Wenger claimed Barry’s penalty – for a foul by William Gallas on Gabriel Agbonlahor – was the turning point and indicated referee Lee Mason was influenced by the partisan atmosphere at Villa Park.

“I know how it works here,” he said. “At half-time the referee gets stick and then in the second half every little 50-50 decision goes the other way.”

But Wenger also admitted his depleted side’s inexperience was a factor in the result.

Having performed well and got results against all of their rivals this season - apart from Villa’s 2-0 win in London last month – Wenger is focusing on the positive aspects of his side’s form.

“I think we have to keep the belief that we have because we played against Villa, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool and nobody beat us apart from Villa at home,” he said.

“I believe we have improved in those last two months tremendously. We look much more solid.

“We miss a bit of belief I think, but we are still young as well.

“With one, two or three years more (experience), Villa would never have come back.”