Nicklas Bendtner

Nicklas Bendtner
Nicklas Bendtner.jpg
Bendtner playing for Arsenal
Personal information
Full name Nicklas Bendtner[1]
Date of birth 16 January 1988 (1988-01-16) (age 23)
Place of birth Copenhagen, Denmark
Height 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)[2]
Playing position Striker[3]
Club information
Current club Arsenal
Number 52
Youth career
1992–1998 Tårnby Boldklub[2]
1998–2004 KB
2004–2005 Arsenal
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2005– Arsenal 81 (20)
2006–2007 → Birmingham City (loan) 42 (11)
National team‡
2004 Denmark U-16 3 (3)
2005 Denmark U-17 15 (6)
2006 Denmark U-19 2 (1)
2006 Denmark U-21 4 (2)
2006– Denmark 35 (12)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:03, 24 April 2010 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 24 June 2010

Nicklas Bendtner (born 16 January 1988) is a Danish footballer who plays for Arsenal and the Denmark national team as a striker. His preferred position is centre forward but has been played on the right side of attack in manager Arsène Wenger's 4–3–3 formation.[3]

Contents

Club career

Youth and Arsenal

Born in Copenhagen, Bendtner started playing football for FC Copenhagen's feeder club Kjøbenhavns Boldklub (KB). He scored four goals in six Danish national youth team matches, before joining English club Arsenal in the summer of 2004. He formed a prolific strike partnership in the reserves, with teammate Arturo Lupoli. Bendtner's first team debut for Arsenal came on 25 October 2005, in a League Cup match against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, as a substitute for Quincy Owusu-Abeyie in the final minutes.

Loan to Birmingham City

Bendtner was loaned out to Championship team Birmingham City in August 2006 to gain first team experience, with the loan initially lasting until January 2007.[4] Bendtner made his debut for Birmingham, as a substitute for Stephen Clemence, in the game against Colchester United on 5 August 2006. He played the final half hour, scoring the winning goal. The loan at Birmingham was extended through the end of the 2006–07 season.

Returning to Arsenal

2007–08

Bendtner signed a new five-year contract with Arsenal in May 2007,[5] and returned to the club for the 2007–08 Premier League season. After impressing at Birmingham, the teenage striker was presented with opportunities to seek first team football elsewhere but stayed on in order to earn his place in the starting eleven.[6]

In his first match at the Emirates Stadium, a friendly against Paris Saint Germain in the inaugural pre-season Emirates Cup tournament, Bendtner scored a goal, and assisted in another by Mathieu Flamini. His first competitive strike for the Gunners was the game winning goal in a 2–0 result versus Newcastle United on 25 September 2007 during a League Cup match. On 23 October, he scored his debut UEFA Champions League goal came in the 89th minute against SK Slavia Prague just over 20 minutes after coming on as a substitute, finishing off a back-heeled pass from Emmanuel Eboué to complete the 7–0 thrashing.

His first Premier League start came at Everton on 29 December 2007. In the game he was sent off for two bookable offences. After suspension ended, Bendtner scored his first FA Cup goal against Burnley on 6 January 2008. Arsenal won the game 2–0.

Bendtner's first Premier League goal came on 22 December 2007 in a 2–1 Arsenal victory against Tottenham, at The Emirates Stadium. He headed the winning goal from a Cesc Fàbregas corner just 1.8 seconds (official time) after coming on as a substitute for Emmanuel Eboué, breaking the previous record.

During the season, Wenger tried to partner Bendtner with Emmanuel Adebayor whenever Robin van Persie was rested. However, Bendtner and Adebayor did not get along well.[7] It became apparent during the 2008 League Cup semifinal replay away at Tottenham Hotspur when the pair had a heated on-pitch altercation with the scoreline at 4–1 to Tottenham and referee Howard Webb, then captain William Gallas and other teammates had to intervene and separate the two.[8] Adebayor later apologized on Arsenal's website and The Football Association declined to take any formal action against the duo.[9]

Bendtner also scored a last minute equaliser against Aston Villa to keep Arsenal top of the table.

2008–09

The main highlight of his pre-season was scoring four goals in the first-half of Arsenal's 10–2 victory against Burgenland XI on Tuesday 29 July 2008. He scored his first Premier League goal of the 2008–09 season against Bolton Wanderers on 20 September 2008 at the Reebok Stadium. He also got an assist for Emmanuel Eboue to score a minute before scoring himself.

He had a hard time in October (With the exception of an assist for an Emmanuel Adebayor goal at West Ham) and November, but on November 25, he scored a dramatic and controversial 87th minute winner against Dynamo Kyiv, in the Champions league to ensure Arsenal progressed to the knockout stages, after running onto a long ball from a Cesc Fabregas quick free-kick, and in the confusion rifled the ball into the net left-footed with his infamous pink Nike Mercurial Vapours boots (He also claimed in the Arsenal magazine, in which he was writing a diary for this particular season, he always wanted to wear these boots). He was even booked for his emotional goal celebration. In January, he scored two more goals as a substitute, late winners at home to Bolton and at Hull, both from Robin Van Persie crosses. The latter came a day after his birthday, and made him become prolific.

On February 24, he was goaded after missing a number of chances in the 1-0 win over Roma, in the knockout stages. He shrugged this off in the magazine, however, claiming that "as a striker, you miss chances". The following week, Bendtner scored two goals at West Brom, as Arsenal won 3-1 away from home. Therefore, the fans were much more supportive towards him when he missed a string of chances against Blackburn. Arsenal still won 4-0, thanks to Andrey Arshavin's stunner, and a brace from Eboue. Bendtner got a goal in a 3-1 win at Newcastle, a header from a long free-kick.

On 5 May 2009 the 21-year-old was controversially shown leaving a night club hours after Arsenal's 3–1 home defeat by Manchester United in the Champions League semi-final. Bendtner was pictured with his belt undone and jeans pulled down. He later said that "I may be young, but my actions were a poor error of judgment and something I deeply regret." Bendtner was a second-half substitute for Arsenal, who lost 4–1 on aggregate to defending champions United.[10] Bendtner never actually mentioned this incident in the Arsenal magazine, and made amends with a goal, albeit a consolation, in a 4-1 defeat to Chelsea. The commentator mocked that incident by saying "Chelsea were caught defending with their pants down."

2009–10

Bendtner started the new season by announcing a change in his Arsenal squad number for the 2009/10 season. "Before the season starts I wanted to change my squad number from 26 which I've obviously had for a number of seasons. I chose to move to 52 because it's a special number to me personally, and I hope that it brings me good luck for the new season. I appreciate that a good number of fans have bought their kits for 2009/10 already with names and numbers printed up so I'd like to personally cover the cost of replacing anyone's shirt that has my previous number. It means a lot to see supporters wearing your name and number, and I want to ensure people aren't inconvenienced by the change."[11]

On 16 September 2009, Bendtner scored his first goal of the season in the Champions League group stage in a 3–2 away win against Standard Liège. On the morning of 27 September 2009 he was involved in a car accident while driving along the A1.[12] He suffered cuts to his knees and shoulder pain as well as totaling his Aston Martin.[13] He then missed Arsenal's Champions League tie with Olympiakos, which Arsenal won 2–0. He returned on 4 October 2009 and scored his first league goal of the season in Arsenal's 6–2 win over Blackburn Rovers. On 28 October 2009, he scored the winning goal in the League Cup in a 2–1 win against Liverpool.[14]

On November 10, 2009, Bendtner underwent groin surgery in Germany after aggravating a groin injury in the 3-0 win on October 31 playing against Tottenham Hotspur. He was expected to be out for up to four weeks,[15] but returned on 27 January 2010 in a 0–0 draw at Villa Park.[16] He started his first match after recovering from his injury and played 82 minutes in Arsenal's victory over Liverpool on 10 February 2010 to complete his return to full fitness.[17] On 20 February 2010, Bendtner scored his first goal since October 2009 against Sunderland. He then followed it up with a goal against Stoke City in a 3–1 away win. In March, he scored his first hat-trick of his professional career in a 5–0 victory over Porto in the second leg of the Champions League first knockout round to overturn their 2–1 loss in the first leg. In his next game, a league meeting with Hull, Bendtner scored Arsenal's 2nd goal in a 2–1 win, which came after Hull goalkeeper Myhill could only parry an injury time Denilson shot. On 3 April 2010, he scored the winning goal in a 1–0 victory over Wolves at home in the Premier League, heading in a cross in the 94th minute. He also scored the only goal for Arsenal in a 4–1 defeat to FC Barcelona as they were knocked out of the UEFA Champions league Quarter-Finals. At the start of April, it was announced that Bendtner had won the Arsenal Player of the Month award for his performances in March, making it the first time he had ever won the award. Bendtner also scored Arsenal's goal in a match against Tottenham Hotspur on 14 April 2010.

International career

Bendtner started his national team career by scoring three goals in three starts for the Denmark under-16 national team in February 2004. He then scored six goals in 15 games for the Denmark under-17 national team, and was named 2004 Danish Under-17 Player of the Year.

Bendtner was the youngest player selected for the Danish under-21 national squad for the 2006 European Under-21 Championship tournament. He replaced Morten Rasmussen in the Danish starting line-up. He got his under-21 debut on 17 May 2006, at the age of 18, scoring both goals in a Danish 2–0 victory over Spain under-21 team in a friendly match. When Bendtner was substituted with Rasmussen during the game against the Netherlands under-21 team, Bendtner told the press he found Rasmussen a lesser player. Bendtner was reprimanded, but played the rest of the tournament before Denmark were eliminated.[18]

On 16 August 2006 Bendtner earned his first senior cap for the Danish national team, still only 18 years old, making him the seventh youngest player on the Danish senior national team ever.[19] He was in the starting lineup for his debut game, a friendly match against Poland. He scored a goal after 30 minutes, helping Denmark to a 2–0 win. On 1 September 2006, he played his second national team game, and came on as a substitute in a friendly match against Portugal. He scored the final goal in a 4–2 win for Denmark. Although he still qualified to play for the U21's, Bendtner soon earned a spot in the starting line on the Danish national team scoring, two goals in UEFA Euro 2008 Qualifying.

In the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, Bendtner scored an 84th minute 1–1 equaliser against Portugal – a match Denmark would later go on to win 3–2. He scored again against Portugal in the reverse fixture which ended 1–1.[20] He then scored a header four days later against Albania. Nicklas assisted Jakob Poulsen's goal in Denmark's 1–0 win over Sweden which meant they qualified for the 2010 World Cup. He ended the campaign with 3 goals. For his contribution, he was voted Danish Player of the Year and his goal against Portugal won the Goal of the Year award.[21][22] Denmark coach Morten Olsen selected Bendtner for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.[23] Bendtner scored the equalizer in Denmark's World Cup group stage 2-1 win against Cameroon.

Personal life

In November 2009, it was reported that Bendtner was seen in Hyde Park with Baroness Caroline Luel-Brockdorff, a socialite and member of the Danish Royal Family who is 13 years his senior. It is thought that they have been dating for the past two months prior to the initial reports that the two have been seen together.[24] The two met when Luel-Brockdorff was filmed renovating her family pile Valdemars Castle on a reality show. Bendtner was a guest and they did a photoshoot together to promote his appearance.[24]

In July 2010 Bendtner revealed through his official website that he is going to become a father for the first time when his fiancée, Luel-Brockdorff, gives birth early in 2011.[25]

“ This is one of the greatest days of my life! I'm to become a father - have just seen our baby on a scan and can't wait to the day my fiancée give birth. We are indescribably happy and look forward to see our baby for the first time. ”

—Nicklas Bendtner's message on his official website.[26]

Career statistics

(correct as of 24 April 2010)[27]

Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists
Arsenal 2005–06 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0
Birmingham City (loan) 2006–07 42 11 7 2 0 0 4 2 2 0 0 0 48 13 9
Arsenal 2007–08 27 5 3 2 1 0 5 1 0 6 2 1 40 9 4
2008–09 31 9 2 5 2 1 2 2 1 12 2 0 50 15 4
2009–10 23 6 6 0 0 0 1 1 0 7 5 1 31 12 7
Career total 123 31 18 9 3 1 15 6 3 25 9 2 172 49 24

International goals

Scores and results list Denmark's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 2006-08-16 Odense, Denmark  Poland 1–0 2–0 Friendly match
2. 2006-09-01 Copenhagen, Denmark  Portugal 4–2 4–2 Friendly match
3. 2007-03-28 Duisburg, Germany  Germany 1–0 1–0 Friendly match
4. 2007-11-17 Belfast, Northern Ireland  Northern Ireland 1–0 1–2 UEFA Euro 2008 Qual.
5. 2007-11-21 Copenhagen, Denmark  Iceland 1–0 3–0 UEFA Euro 2008 Qual.
6. 2008-02-06 Nova Gorica, Slovenia  Slovenia 2–1 2–1 Friendly match
7. 2008-03-26 Herning, Denmark  Czech Republic 1–0 1–1 Friendly match
8. 2008-09-10 Lisbon, Portugal  Portugal 1–1 3–2 2010 World Cup Qual.
9. 2009-09-05 Copenhagen, Denmark  Portugal 1–0 1–1 2010 World Cup Qual.
10. 2009-09-09 Tirana, Albania  Albania 1–0 1–1 2010 World Cup Qual.
11. 2010-03-03 Vienna, Austria  Austria 1–1 1–2 Friendly match
12. 2010-06-19 Pretoria, South Africa  Cameroon 1–1 2–1 2010 FIFA World Cup

Honours

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Statistics". Premier League. http://www.premierleague.com/staticFiles/c2/3b/0,,12306~146370,00.pdf. Retrieved 2010-02-20. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Biography". Nicklas-Bendtner.com. http://www.nicklas-bendtner.com/Biography.aspx?ID=27. Retrieved 20 July 2010. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Nicklas Bendtner keen on return to centre stage for Arsenal". The Guardian (London). 22 September 2009. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/sep/22/nicklas-bendtner-arsenal-wenger. Retrieved 20 May 2010. 
  4. ↑ "Birmingham capture third Gunner". BBC Sport. 2006-08-04. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/birmingham_city/5246326.stm. Retrieved 2007-03-25. 
  5. ↑ "Bendtner signs five-year contract". BBC Sport. 2007-05-23. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/6685071.stm. Retrieved 2007-05-23. 
  6. ↑ Taylor, Daniel (31 October 2009). "Nicklas Bendtner ignores doubters to concentrate on his Arsenal masterplan". The Guardian (London). http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/oct/31/nicklas-bendtner-interview-arsenal-tottenham. Retrieved 7 November 2009. 
  7. ↑ Hytner, David (14 September 2009). "Robin van Persie voices Arsenal distate at Emmanuel Adebayor's antics". The Guardian (London). http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/sep/14/emmanual-adebayor-robin-van-persie-manchester-city-arsenal. 
  8. ↑ Fifield, Dominic (23 January 2008). "Arsenal at war as Adebayor clash bloodies Bendtner nose". The Guardian (London). http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/jan/23/newsstory.arsenal. Retrieved 20 May 2010. 
  9. ↑ "Arsenal pair escape FA punishment". BBC Sport. 24 January 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/7204144.stm. 
  10. ↑ "Bendtner goes on bender". The Copenhagen Post. 7 May 2009. http://www.cphpost.dk/sport/120-sport/45612-bendtner-goes-on-bender.html. 
  11. ↑ "Bendtner explains squad number change from 26 to 52.". Arsenal F.C.. 12 August 2009. http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/bendtner-explains-switch-of-squad-number. 
  12. ↑ "Nicklas Bendtner out for Arsenal after being involved in car accident". The Guardian (London). 2009-09-28. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/sep/28/nicklas-bendtner-arsenal-car-accident. Retrieved 2010-07-26. 
  13. ↑ Benammar, Emily (2009-09-29). "Nicklas Bendtner car crash photo: Arsenal striker's lucky escape". The Daily Telegraph (London). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/arsenal/6242099/Nicklas-Bendtner-car-crash-photo-Arsenal-strikers-lucky-escape.html. Retrieved 2010-07-26. 
  14. ↑ McCarra, Kevin (28 October 2009). "Carling Cup fourth round: Arsenal 2–1 Liverpool". The Guardian (London). http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/oct/28/carling-cup-arsenal-liverpool. Retrieved 30 October 2009. 
  15. ↑ "Bendtner to undergo groin surgery". BBC Sport. 10 November 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/8352036.stm. Retrieved 10 November 2009. 
  16. ↑ "Aston Villa 0–0 Arsenal – Match Report". Arsenal.com. http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3150808/first-team/aston-villa-v-arsenal?tab=report. Retrieved 2010-04-27. 
  17. ↑ "Arsenal 1–0 Liverpool". Arsenal.com. http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3221548/first-team/arsenal-v-liverpool?tab=report. Retrieved 12 February 2010. 
  18. ↑ Cornelius, Mette (May 27, 2006). "Bendtner undskylder i U21-lejren" (in Danish). DR. http://www.dr.dk/Sporten/Fodbold/Landsholdet/2006/05/27/134736.htm. 
  19. ↑ "A-landsholdsspillere – Yngste debutant" (in Danish). Haslund.info. http://www.haslund.info/danmark/aovs/ydeb.asp. 
  20. ↑ "Bendtner: Ærgerlig ad helvede til" (in Danish). Berlingske Tidende. 5 September 2009. http://www.berlingske.dk/sport/bendtner-aergerlig-ad-helvede-til. 
  21. ↑ "Bendtner voted Danish Player of the Year". Arsenal F.C.. 10 November 2009. http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/bendtner-voted-danish-player-of-the-year. Retrieved 11 November 2009. 
  22. ↑ "Bendtner voted best footballer". The Copenhagen Post. 10 November 2009. http://www.uefa.com/competitions/worldcup/news/kind=1/newsid=836429.html. 
  23. ↑ "Olsen names final Denmark squad". UEFA.com. 2010-05-28. http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1493391.html. Retrieved 2010-06-02. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Clench, James (2009-11-13). "Arsenal 1 Palace 1". The Sun (London). http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2727818/Arsenals-Nicklas-Bendtner-dates-400m-royal-Baroness-Caroline-Luel-Brockdorff.html. Retrieved 2010-07-26. 
  25. ↑ Littlejohn, Georgina (2010-07-14). "Nicklas Bendtner to become a father for the first time with fiancée 13 years his senior". The Daily Mail (London). http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1294592/Nicklas-Bendtner-father-time-fianc-e-13-years-senior.html. Retrieved 2010-07-26. 
  26. ↑ "Greatest days of my life!". Nicklas-Bendtner.com. 2010-07-12. http://www.nicklas-bendtner.com/Latest_News.aspx?ID=18&PID=62&M=NewsV2&Action=1&NewsId=13. Retrieved 2010-07-26. 
  27. ↑ "Nicklas Bendtner Statistics". Arsenal.com. http://www.arsenal.com/first-team/players/nicklas-bendtner. Retrieved 2010-06-19. 

External links

Denmark squad – 2010 FIFA World Cup
1 Sørensen • 2 C. Poulsen • 3 Kjær • 4 Agger • 5 Kvist • 6 L. Jacobsen • 7 Jensen • 8 Grønkjær • 9 Tomasson (c) • 10 Jørgensen • 11 Bendtner • 12 Kahlenberg • 13 Krøldrup • 14 J. Poulsen • 15 S. B. Poulsen • 16 Andersen • 17 Beckmann • 18 Larsen • 19 Rommedahl • 20 Enevoldsen • 21 Eriksen • 22 Christiansen • 23 Mtiliga • Coach: Olsen
 Denmark
Arsenal F.C. – current squad

1 Almunia · 2 Diaby · 3 Sagna · 4 Fàbregas (c) · 5 Vermaelen · 6 Koscielny · 7 Rosický · 8 Nasri · 10 van Persie · 11 Vela · 14 Walcott · 15 Denílson · 17 Song · 18 Squillaci · 19 Wilshere · 20 Djourou · 21 Fabiański · 22 Clichy · 23 Arshavin · 27 Eboué · 28 Gibbs · 29 Chamakh · 52 Bendtner · 53 Szczęsny · Manager: Wenger