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Arsene Wenger believes Giovanni Trapattoni's experience could give the Republic of Ireland the advantage in their World Cup play-off against France. Les Blues travel to Croke Park for Saturday's first leg with Trapattoni attempting to secure Ireland's first appearance at a major international tournament since 2002.
The 70-year-old can call on a wealth of knowledge having managed Italy for four years and won seven Serie A titles, one European Cup and three UEFA Cups with Juventus and Inter Milan.
Trapattoni has also lifted titles in Germany, Portugal and Austria and Wenger claims the Italian is more than capable of guiding Ireland to the finals in South Africa next summer.
"I believe in a context like this, experience will play a major part," said the Arsenal boss. "I have a big respect for Trapattoni, not only for what he has achieved but also for his passion.
"When you look at this guy he is still ready every day to fight and it will be interesting because even at Arsenal we have one part of the club sitting on the bench with Ireland. I am French and Liam Brady is assistant manager with Ireland and head of youth development with us. We have very interesting conversations at the moment!"
France reached the last World Cup Final in 2006 only to lose to Italy on penalties but they faltered during their qualifying campaign this time as Serbia topped Group Seven.
Defeat in Austria along with draws against Romania twice and Serbia away condemned Raymond Domenech's side to the play-offs.
Wenger added: "At the moment, France are not as good as when they reached the World Cup Final but I must say that the last three games have shown a resurgence of quality in the French national team and they are clearly better than six months ago.
"They had good games against the Faroe Islands and Serbia and are on the way up.
"It will be a very interesting game as I'm keen to see the mixture of Irish passion and drive going forward with a shrewd, calculating temper of Trapattoni against a French national team who are still very young but have a lot of qualities in their squad.
"I believe that France have more individual strength and the question mark is how much can the enthusiasm, the collective drive of Ireland and the efficiency on the day, counter-act maybe the technical superiority of the French team?"
Although Ireland are the underdogs for the tie, the second leg of which is in Paris next Wednesday, Trapattoni believes his team have nothing to fear against a side 25 places above them at ninth in FIFA's world rankings. "I'm not afraid about this team," he said.
"I know the quality of France but our players at their clubs play against Arsenal and against Manchester United. France achieved second place in the group like us and we were one of only five unbeaten teams."
Helping Ireland reach the finals would come second only to winning the World Cup for Marco Tardelli.
The Italian, who won the trophy as a player in 1982 when his country beat West Germany and is Trapattoni's assistant, said: "For me, this qualification would be in second place.
"The first is winning the World Cup and the second would be this."
