Euro 2008 - Arbeloa: Fernando Torres is Europe's best striker
Posted by eto in Euro2008 news, Fernando Torres
Full-back who made his international debut against World champions Italy in March, thinks Torres is the best striker in the business.
"I believe that Fernando has not been competing in Europe this season," he told Spanish newspaper Marca.
"Cristiano Ronaldo is a midfielder rather than anything else, but it is not a striker who can get close to Fernando.
"He has been the best in Europe and I am not saying that just because of his numbers; say that, because of his importance to the team.
"He did a Liverpool, the semi-finals Champions League, scoring against Inter, Arsenal and Chelsea. He has always existed," he added.
And the former Real Madrid youth player believes Spain has to be, Torres' strengths, such as the Euro 2008 may be up and running this weekend.
"We must take advantage of Fernando as we have done at Liverpool," he said.
"I have noticed that Liverpool we have been able to take advantage of Torres' properties.
"When he gets away from his marker, we can send the ball forward without a doubt.
"Spain have more possession and we need to run the risk, they are less long balls Fernando."
Arbeloa believes that Spain has the quality to go all the way in Austria and Switzerland.
He said: I think that we have achieved the ideal combination of both.
"It is youth and experience, and, above all, good football. Why did not this time?"
The former Real Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna defender believes his time in England has improved his game.
"At Liverpool, we can play in very different ways, how they play in Spain," he said.
"England that football is more physical, with more contact and fighting.
"It can only help the national team, because we have the same technically good players, but they are also used for more physical play and contact information.
You can see it in Liverpool. We have the players who have a lot of quality like Xabi Alonso and Torres, and they do not shy away from physical contact.
"They are very good players, but they are fighting for every ball. This makes us (Spain) more fully."