Campbell - who rejoined his old club during January on a short-term contract after leaving Notts County - produced a composed display at the heart of a makeshift backline alongside fellow senior campaigner Mikael Silvestre as Arsenal all but secured third place in the Barclays Premier League following a goalless draw against Manchester City at Emirates Stadium.

England manager Fabio Capello was in the stands - although perhaps more to assess the efforts of Arsenal winger Theo Walcott, along with City's World Cup hopefuls Adam Johnson, Gareth Barry and Micah Richards than take a considered look at Campbell.

Wenger, though, feels Campbell's presence within his own squad, both on and off the pitch, has proved some much-needed nous, even if it could not ultimately help his youthful side deliver a trophy.

"I believe it is fantastic to see how well Sol has come back. When he has his mind on the game he is unbelievable," said the Arsenal boss, who is in the process of discussing with Campbell options for a possible new contract.

"Sol is a strange guy because when he is focused sometimes he can be very detached - but when he is in with you, he is 100%, not 99, that is what I like.

"In the dressing room as well he has been very good.

"If Sol sets himself a target he is an unbelievable soldier."

Wenger believes Campbell, a former England skipper, still has something to offer the national team, his last of 73 caps - including three World Cups - having come in the defeat to Croatia at Wembley which ended hopes of reaching the 2008 European Championships.

"I just see that many centre-backs are injured, so why not?" said the Arsenal boss.

"Sol has got the experience and it is up to Capello to decide."

Wenger continued: "Of course others have an advantage because they are younger, but if England have a problem in numbers Sol is always there.

"I do not select the team and I do not say Capello has to take him - I just say you compare him today in the Premier League with the other centre-backs and he does not suffer in the comparison."

The encounter with City proved to be a cagey affair, with few chances of real note before visiting keeper Shay Given, in making a save from Abou Diaby, was carried off on a stretcher with a suspected broken shoulder.

Fit-again striker Robin van Persie almost marked his first appearance at Emirates Stadium since November with a goal, but his 25-yard free-kick curled just wide.

Wenger believes had the Dutchman stayed fit, the Arsenal's challenge, both in Europe and the Premier League, would still be very much alive.

Indeed, the Arsenal boss believes van Persie, who had started the season in superb form, is up there with world's best.

"I still have to prove it, but I hope to be in that place one day," van Persie said.

"I think I have the qualities to do so, but you need time, you need games and you need to be fit.

"It may sound crazy, but we can be proud of what we have done this year because of the injuries we have had.

"Now, I just want to have a season without injuries."

Much of the pre-match hype had been over the return of former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who earlier in the season served a ban after stamping on Van Persie.

The Dutchman was booked for a late challenge on his old strike partner after he had come on - to the expected cacophony of boss from the home supporters - at the start of the second half.

Wenger had called for calm from both fans and his team alike.

"Nobody told me anything. I do not care about him, because I am just busy with my own team," van Persie said.

"There was nothing in it. In football you make tackles. That was one of them."