Nottingham Forest take on Arsenal in tonight’s EFL Cup third round showdown.
Nottingham Forest’s Nicklas Bendtner in action
Speaking at a pre match press conference, Nottingham Forest striker Nicklas Bendtner discussed his views on former boss Arsene Wenger, shown on Sky Sports’ programme Sky Sports Now at 10:45 am on September 20th.
The 28-year-old Dane spent nine years with the Gunners, before making a permanent switch to Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg in 2014.
Bendtner’s contract with the German side was terminated earlier this year, however, and he made this return to English football when he signed for Forest on a free transfer earlier this month.
Nottingham Forest’s Nicklas Bendtner with manager Philippe Montanier as he waits to be substituted on
Bendtner told reporters of the huge respect he holds for his former boss ahead of tonight’s EFL Cup clash, and asked whether he is surprised that Wenger is still in charge at Arsenal, his response was emphatic, as quoted by Sky Sports:
“No, he is a great coach and a person I never had a problem with. I don’t think you are good friends with the coach, you are there to do a job, and that’s it. When you part ways, you are friendly to each other, but you don’t call each other every day.”
Nottingham Forest’s Nicklas Bendtner
The 72-capped Denmark international also went on to discuss the Arsenal fans, and when asked whether he feels he will receive a good reception from Gunners fans, he said:
‘I hope so”.
Bendtner’s potential was highly lauded by Wenger when he was signed as a 17-year old in 2005, but he has failed to live up to the expectations set upon him doing his career.
His time at the City Ground could give him the chance to re-establish himself, however, and prove to everyone that he is in fact capable of reaching the levels that he believes he is capable of.
Nottingham Forest’s Nicklas Bendtner looks dejected after a missed chance
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