Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has backed Roy Hodgson to take charge of Great Britain's football team at the 2012 Olympics in London.

Hodgson's name has been suggested due to his wealth of coaching experience and the work he did at Fulham last year when he earned them a place in the Europa League.

Wenger, who takes his side to Craven Cottage on Saturday evening for their Barclays Premier League clash, said: "There's no surprise at all because I think he's a man of intelligence, of big experience and is completely entitled to lead the Olympic team of England.

"Of course he's among the top of the English managers; you look at his CV.

"I believe as well this is a job where you consider the lengths at a top level of a manager to consider 'is he top level or not?' and I believe he's been a long time at the top level. That's the most difficult."

Robin van Persie, meanwhile, has billed the clash as a true test of Arsenal's title credentials.

The 26-year-old forward has played in defeats to Manchester United and City this season - but he believes the matches against teams without top-four aspirations are as important.

"Maybe even more important in the end," the Holland international said.

"If you look last year, the way Manchester United became champions was against the smaller teams.

"They won against all the teams from 19 to 10. That is why they became champions. So it is very important to win these games.

"I had a look at the fixtures coming up and on paper they look all right but we lost to Fulham last year so it is very, very tough.

"I saw their game against Everton and they were very decent and it was a very good goal from Damien Duff.

"It's going to be hard but as long as we can put the pressure on the opponent, play together and share the goals then I'm quite confident."

Wenger has Andrey Arshavin back from a groin problem and Theo Walcott is in the squad following a side strain.

Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia is still troubled by a chest infection so Vito Mannone could continue in his place.

"It is always frustrating when you are injured - you don't want to be sitting on the sidelines watching your team-mates struggle - as we did at times last season," Walcott said.

"The best thing is just to come in all smiles when you have your treatment and work very hard when you are out injured. For me, just watching Tomas Rosicky was an inspiration because he was out for 20 months and, by comparison, me being out for a few months is no big deal."