Arsene Wenger backs Steve Bould

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has tipped Steve Bould to fill the void he will leave on the sidelines during the Champions League.

The assistant manager will be in charge of the Gunners from the touchline as the Frenchman serves the first of a three-game ban awarded to him by UEFA after his touchline rant against AC Milan in last year's competition.

Despite his absence, Wenger feels that Bould has all the necessary attributes to be a success.

"I will speak to the team in the hotel and talk to Steve about the game, but there is always an element of the unexpected when you are in this situation," said Wenger.

"You sometimes have a feeling of being powerless sitting on the bench, but this is worse from the stands.

"Steve is focused and intelligent and clearly doing a good job. I chose him to join the first-team staff as I felt he would add something different and have not been disappointed."

Arsenal travel to Montpellier HSC on Tuesday night.