Cairney underwent an operation on his knee in the summer and has come off the bench in Fulham’s last two matches. Although his minutes have been limited, Arbeloa believes the 35-year-old has made a significant contribution in helping the side manage difficult moments and see out results.
“We were talking here about what we have to do when we score and we are under pressure and we are playing a way that we don't need to change. It's easy to say, difficult to do, and he helped us a lot in those moments in the last couple of games.
"He did really, really well, because you can feel and you can see how his teammate is looking for him, and yes, he was so, so important.”
The Fulham head coach highlighted Cairney’s understanding of the game and the confidence his team-mates place in him, explaining that the captain recognises what is required at different stages of a match.
“He understands everything, what he has to do, what is the moment of the game. And yes, for me, it’s so easy to have him. You know, when you have a player like Tom, I don't need to coach him, because he knows what he has to do in every moment of the game, in every training session. He is an example.”
Arbeloa also pointed to the standards Cairney sets away from matchday, particularly for the younger players in the squad. His influence, he said, has continued even when he has not been selected to play.
“He's fantastic – he has the quality, he has the experience, he has the desire. 35 years old, he still wants to play, he wants to win games, and he's the perfect captain.”
Cairney played 15 minutes in one of the recent matches and 10 in the other, but Arbeloa is hopeful his involvement can increase as he builds fitness following his operation.
“For me, I am really lucky to have a player like Tom, and I think he's been so important in two games, playing 15 and 10 minutes. We will see if he can continue playing more and more minutes, but he's so important when he's playing. And when he's not playing, he's helping all these young players, he's helping me, and I think he's doing so well.”
The manager’s comments underline the value he places on Cairney’s leadership as well as his technical contribution, with the captain continuing to influence the team during his gradual return.