Arsenal manager fires warning to returning striker With three games coming up in seven days, Wenger will give most of his first-team squad a rest for Wednesday’s Capital One Cup third-round tie at West Brom. One of the names on the Arsenal team sheet will almost certainly by Bendtner - a player who has divided opinion among Gunners fans since he joined from FC Copenhagen eight years ago. His confident personality has made him a cult figure among some supporters, but it has grated others, who feel he is too cocky. Many fans thought they had seen the back of Bendtner after he was shipped out on loan three times, but the 25-year-old has remained with the club and he will make his first appearance in over two years on Wednesday night. “Fans forgive you everything as long as you produce the performances on the football pitch,” Wenger said. “That’s what people want. I think our fans have a positive attitude towards Bendtner and they will be behind him. “Only you can create that with your performances.” The last time Bendtner started a game for the Gunners was on March 5, 2011, when Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie and Samir Nasri were on the books at the Emirates Stadium. After loaning Bendtner to Birmingham, Sunderland and then Juventus, Wenger tried to sell the Denmark international to Crystal Palace in the transfer window, only to see the deal fall through. But rather than sulk, Bendtner has reacted well, according to Wenger. “He has responded with a good attitude in training and with good, hard work,” the Frenchman said. “He had nearly gone somewhere else and in the end he stayed because it didn’t work out and we needed him here. “Now he can convince everybody. We are open minded, we believe in his qualities. “I personally believe in his qualities. It’s just down to attitude and fighting spirit. “When he has that, Nicklas can be an unstoppable striker. He gets his chance. Our job is about that. Take your chance.” Although Wenger will be keeping an eye on Bendtner’s display at the Hawthorns, he knows he must not lose sight of another at the opposing end. london24/sport/arsenal/arsenal_manager_fires_warning_to_returning_striker_1_2801603
Posted on: Wed, 25 Sep 2013 08:20:47 +0000
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