BACK IN THE FRAME

Danish international striker Nicklas Bendtner has recently come back into the frame at Arsenal after being in the wilderness for the last few years. His return to the club was made possible after a public apology. Bendtner claimed a few years ago that he would never wear the Arsenal shirt after falling out with the club and the manager, Arsene Wenger. He has spent the last few seasons on loan at Sunderland and Juventus, but he has been unable to claim a permanent move away from Arsenal.

Bendtner rarely featured in the first half of the season, but a much improved form in the last few weeks has resulted in him being used in important matches by Wenger. Still, he is a long way from being a regular first-team player for the club. Despite this, he will start the match for Denmark against England when the two sides meet each other in a friendly match in the first week of March. This, according to Denmark coach Morten Olsen, this is not a problem since he is well aware of the quality possessed by Bendtner.

Olsen states that the 26-year-old has been in fine condition with regard to this physical state. This should see him keep his place ahead of the competition.

“Nicklas is our first attacker. We must show that we believe in him. Not only now, but also in relation to the future. He is physically in good shape, even though he was not involved in the last game. But he must of course prove that he is in good shape,” said Olsen. Bendtner is widely expected to leave Arsenal in the summer despite the run of matches. He is out of contract and there has been no sign from Arsenal that they want to keep him for the next few years.