Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes Russia will host a successful World Cup in 2018.
Wenger is delighted for Andrey Arshavin, the Arsenal forward who made an impressive speech to FIFA delegates in Zurich. And the Frenchman believes Russia has what it takes to do the World Cup proud.
"They have the advantage of hosting for the first time, also today they have the financial potential," Wenger told the Official Arsenal Magazine.
"It's a very proud population and they will want to show the world they can do it in a great way. It looks like the country is developing well too. I think basically they have what it takes - money. They look like they have the financial power.
"Recently I would say that it [the standard of football in Russia] has improved very quickly - so has the quality of the hotels, the quality of the stadiums. Even if you look at Ukraine, it's developing very fast. Overall it is a football country.
"I knew the contents of it [Arshavin's speech], because he told me before he went. He knew it by heart before he went and I thought it was a very good speech and very sensible."
