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Can Arsenal’s successful loan star still make it at the Emirates?

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According to Emirates 24/7 who provide no direct quotes from the player himself, Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner is keen to make a return to the Emirates following the end of his loan spell with Sunderland. There has been some speculation regarding his future with the Gunners as many believe that he’ll be a part of the mass exodus that takes place this summer and could also follow the likes of Marouane Chamakh and Park Chu-Young out the door.

Yet after many months of looking entirely disinterested with his stay at the Stadium of Light he finally seems to have got the point: he’s fighting for his career here. How else was he able to put in a performance that had Manchester City’s highly capable and experienced defenders at sixes and sevens?

Four goals in seven games as well as a lot of decent work as a part of an increasingly impressive Sunderland offense speaks for itself.

Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill has playing it fairly coy over Bendtner’s future: “I’ve not thought about his future at all. I’ve not mentioned it to him, there’s no point in putting pressure on anyone at the moment.

“Bendtner played as a real proper centre-forward. He was holding the ball, bringing people into play – and he scored he goal. On a performance like that his self-vaunted opinion of himself is maybe justified.”

Despite the knock at Bendtner’s infamous self-confidence (or as it’s otherwise known: arrogance) I think it’s clear that O’Neill has come round to the big Dane. Whether or not he’ll remain a Black Cat next season is another matter entirely. But is he good enough to still play a role for Arsenal should O’Neill send him packing?

For me he’s the kind of player who can still do a job as a squad player. He’s only 24-years-old and certainly has room for improvement, but as a third-or-fourth choice striker, Arsenal could do a lot worse (Chamakh? Park?). It may seem like a rather trite comparison (given the discrepancy between their roles) but is he any less effective than the likes of Gervinho?

Wenger likes to play both players out wide and whilst Gervinho finds it easier to beat a man, Bendtner finds it easier to hit the back of the net. He’s also one of the Gunner’s best headers of the ball and could be useful in set-piece situations, where Arsenal tend to struggle. It’s fair to say that he offers the Gunners another dimension.

So yes, I think he could still fit in at the Emirates – providing pressure isn’t heaped upon his shoulders. Arsenal still need to sign a couple of decent strikers to go above him in the pecking order.

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0 comments

  • Dagsofoz says:

    Put him 4 in the pecking order and you are going to have one massive dummy spit especially with that ego of his

  • Dagsofoz says:

    Put him 4th in the pecking order and you are going to have one massive dummy spit especially with that ego of his

  • Chinedu says:

    If he comes bk,he will still be on the bench,poldi’s coming,but he can still be a squad player.If arsenal can also succeed in securing the services of m’vila & vertonghen,this summer,we will do well,next season.

  • Rockett says:

    Bring him back and play him in his best position how smart was it to loan him out chamak was a waste of space park useless gervinho doesent know where the goal is.
    It is a no brainer to have Bendy in the squad by far the bestter player than the other crop of crap.

  • John mburu says:

    The big dan have claimed loud again and again he is not interested in playing anymore and since he is still ours wenger should sell him alongsides chamakh and park and bring in poldosk, vela, campbell and that big hit man of montepelli

  • Gbenga says:

    Bendtner should return to the emirates while chamark & park should be sold.Bendtner can play as a 3rd choice striker & a first choice striker in the carling cup and probably FA,to relieve RVP off the stress

  • Sleepy Brown says:

    Errrrr no.

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