England captain Terry, 29, has endured a week-long media furore following allegations that he had an affair with an ex-girlfriend of former team-mate Wayne Bridge. Terry is set to learn his fate as captain of the national side in a meeting with England manager Fabio Capello, but Ancelotti insisted the player has remained totally professional throughout a difficult week. As far as the Italian is concerned, Terry remains a valuable member of the squad and when asked if he still had the backing of the players, Ancelotti replied: "I think so. John speaks with his team-mates because he's the captain of this team. "He is focusing on his job. He's doing very well every day, every moment. He's the captain of this team so, with his behaviour, he's doing his best for this team. "And also he played very well in the last two games. He scored against Burnley. He's in fantastic condition at the moment. "The problem that involves John is outside our training ground and it's a normal life for us. John's mood is very normal. "I have not spoken to him. It's not necessary for me to speak to him about his private life. "It's his private life and I don't want to know anything about this. I'm only interested in his professional behaviour and that is the best. "I'm not interested in the private lives of the players. In the past some coaches phoned home to control their players, but I never did this in my career and I won't in the future. "I'm only interested in the players at the training ground and to control behaviour at the training ground. Private lives are an important thing - they should remain private." Ancelotti is fiercely supportive of his captain and maintains there was never any question of leaving Terry out of Sunday's showdown with Arsenal. He is adamant that Terry's captaincy of the national side is a matter well outside his remit and was eager to shift the emphasis back to Capello. "It's not my problem," declared Ancelotti. "I don't know what will happen when John meets Fabio. I'm not interested about this. It's a problem for Fabio Capello and John Terry. "John knows he has to play against Arsenal, he's our captain. I did not consider resting him. John has to play because he's one of the most important players in this team. "And we need strength, experience and quality against them. We are preparing very well because it's an important game against a strong team. We will be ready to play our best game." Chelsea go into the clash six points clear of Arsene Wenger's side and victory will almost certainly end Arsenal's title chances. Chelsea thought they had banished Arsenal's interest in the Barclays crown back in November when they beat the Gunners 3-0 at the Emirates. But Chelsea's poor run of form in December, coupled with Arsenal's resurgence, put Wenger's side back in the hunt. However, Ancelotti acknowledges that defeat for their London rivals will make it difficult for them to recover the situation for a second time. "I think it will be difficult for them to return to the top," said Ancelotti. "They are involved in the Champions League too, which starts up again soon, so it could be very difficult for them to stay in touch with Chelsea and Manchester United. "Every game is different at the moment. In the last game against Arsenal, it was very good for us. We played the right way and did a very good defence and counter-attack. That's the right way to play against Arsenal on Sunday. "We have a very good opportunity on Sunday to send Arsenal further away from our position, to get distance from them."
