Nicklas Bendtner is back, and actually he showed some good signs for Arsenal.
You can’t even call it a marriage of convenience because Nicklas Bendtner may only be back at Arsenal for the short-term, but in the mean time the Dane has a chance to show what he can do.
Whether he can pull off the unlikely feat of becoming a valuable first team player, or simply putting himself in the shop window for a January move, the striker has every motivation to succeed this time around.
He was handed a starting opportunity against West Brom at the Hawthorns, and it’s fair to say it did not get off to the best start, mistiming a header and colliding with a post.
GIF: Arsenal’s Nicklas Bendtner runs into a post
He did improve, providing an assist for Thomas Eisfeld’s second half goal to give Arsenal the lead. He fluffed a good chance late on failing to put a shot away when through on goal – but made up for it by scoring Arsenal’s opening shootout penalty.
In doing so he proved his fitness, lasting the full 90 minutes plus extra-time, much-needed match action seeing as he had not played 90 minutes since last October.
Nicklas Bendtner’s heartfelt message to Arsenal fans after win
He did not muster a single shot on goal, but did make five key passes, showing off a developed all-round game and ability to play as a lone frontman for the good of the team.
However perhaps disappointingly, Bendtner completed just 66 per cent of his passes, by far the lowest of any Arsenal player – with debutant midfielder Isacc Hayden completing 91 per cent.
He was certainly involved, touching the ball 61 times, more than Hayden, Miyaichi or Eisfeld, and won seven aerial duels – illustrating how his physical presence can be of use.
So what did fans make of the former laughing stock’s display? We took a look at Twitter to find out…
What was your verdict on Bendtner?
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
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