Time for Bendtner to take centre stage

Nicklas Bendtner’s fine display as a lone centre-forward in Arsenal’s 3-2 victory over Standard Liege last night, highlighted the striker’s attacking talent. Currently in his fifth season with Arsenal, surely now is the time for the Dane to step up and fulfil his undoubted potential?

Bendtner’s career at Arsenal only began in earnest during the 2007/08 season. Up to that point, he had had the usual run out in one of Wenger’s typically youth Carling Cup sides and spent the previous season on loan at Birmingham City. It was there that he came to the attention of those outside North London, scoring 11 goals in 42 appearances, helping the Midlands club to promotion in the process.

Bendtner’s record for Arsenal reads 100 games played, 25 goals scored. This does not suggest a particularly good return, until you consider that over half of his appearances (51) have come from the substitute’s bench. The challenge for Bendtner now is to make himself an automatic starter in Wenger’s mind, rather than an impact substitute.

One thing that Bendtner is not short of, is confidence. However, at times this has often perceived to be unfounded arrogance. Following Andrei Arshavin’s arrival in January, Bendtner proclaimed, “It does not really matter to me who is fit and available, I should start every game. I should be playing every minute of every match and always be in the team.”

A bewildering comment, especially when considering his indifferent form last season and a string of misses in the league game against Blackburn Rovers, a match in which Arshavin scored and played a important part in two other goals in Arsenal’s 4-0 victory. Being dragged out of a club with his trousers round his ankle was also an occasion he would probably prefer to forget.

There are some supporters who question whether Bendtner has the ability to be a prolific goalscorer for the Gunners and there is no doubt that this is a big season for him, both with Arsenal and with Denmark. A fine season at the Emirates capped with a World Cup appearance may go some way to proving the doubters wrong.