What Nicklas Bendtner lacks in class and general footballing ability, he makes up for with entertainment value. Yes, he’s not everybody’s cup of tea and he’s been particularly irritating for Arsenal fans to deal with, but there’s no doubting his ability to create headlines.
Indeed, I doubt if there’s a footballer out there, whose ability to fill column inches is so out-of-whack with their actual influence on the pitch. At least Mario Balotelli has proven himself on the big stage.
At 25-years-old, Nicklas Bendtner is no longer a talented newcomer. He’s played over 242 professional games, has bags of experience and has yet to prove himself. He’s reached the stage in his career where he really should be making good on his talent, but it just hasn’t happened.
Bendtner has scored 66 goals in his professional career. That’s only one goal every four gamess, which is not a great return for a striker (admittedly he’s been thrust out on the right wing on the odd occasion) who has played alongside fantastic team-mates at clubs like Arsenal and Juventus (on loan).
It strikes me that Arsenal haven’t quite known what to do with Nicklas Bendtner for the last couple of seasons. That’s why he was loaned out to Sunderland in the 2011/12 season and spent last year with Juventus (what were they thinking?)
It’s almost as though the club were sick of the big Dane, but couldn’t find a permanent new home for him. Loan moves had to suffice for some time, but now, at least, things seem to be moving in a different direction.
It looks like Bendtner is heading for the Emirate’s exit door: “Arsenal have agreed with five clubs so now it is up to me to make a choice. I will make that choice within the next 14 days.
They are all good clubs. It is a hugely important choice I’m faced with. I must go where I am wanted. As a footballer, there is only one thing that can make you happy: playing time.” (Source: The Mirror)
I don’t know what’s more startling, the fact that Bendtner has five clubs vying for his services, or the fact that he’s using a smart qualifier (playing time) to weigh up his options.
The Gunners must have been touting him about with a very small (or non-existent) price-tag. It looks like he’s going to go the way of Denilson, Andriy Arshavin and Sebastien Squallaci and get the heck off of Arsenal’s wage bill.
And that can only be a good thing for both the club and the player. Bendtner will have a new opportunity to prove himself and the Gunners will have more money to spend this summer. Goodbye, good luck, good riddance. It’s a win-win!
What’s your take? Will you be sad to see Nicklas Bendtner leave Arsenal?
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am not happy bendtner is going,olivia G is not beter than him i believe that he needs more play time.remember we nursed vaan and ces as well.