New Russia coach Fabio Capello has been hammered in the local media for sticking with Arsenal midfielder Andrey Arshavin as captain.

Local media wanted the former England coach to take away the armband after Arshavin was seen as one of the main culprits for Russia's Euro 2012 flop.

But Capello says the Arsenal player deserves a second chance.

"This is his opportunity to prove he still plays an important role," he said. "I want to see him showing his best quality on the pitch."