The Curious Case of Nicklas Bendtner

Yes, Nick, we're crying too.

In my continuing review of players with promise, I give you the curious case of Nicklas Bendtner. Nicky B to his fans (or detractors).

Nicky B burst onto the football scene in 1998 playing for the your orgainzation of Danish football club B.93. He also featured for FC Copenahgen’s feeder club Kjøbenhavns Boldklub (KB). During his time at KB he also played for the Danish national youth side – scoring four goals in six matches.

Finally in 2004 he was signed by Arsenal and formed a prolofic strike duo on the reserves with Arturo Lupoli.  Then in 2005 he made his first team debut, coming on in the League Cup for 3 matches.

His Arsenal career has been one of promise and frustration, much like our earlier subject Theo Walcott. In 81 appearances for Arsenal from 2005 to now, the dane has 20 goals. At the start of last season, I, one of his biggest critics, was impressed that he seemed to be taking on a new direction. He attacked defenders well and when aggressive set up himself and his teammates well.

As a sub he was good. But when Robin Van Persie went down and he was called on to be an everyday striker – well – that’s the problem. He’s not an everday striker. At least not yet. He doesn’t really have a first touch and he is more prone to missing the net then hitting it.

The lad then came out and boasted he could be one of the best strikers in the globe. The key problem there was his lack lustre performances failed to convince anyone that it was nothing more than bravado of the young.

Like Theo, Nicky B, has tremendous potential. He is tall, plays big and is physically strong player. There are times when he gets on a ball in the air and completely understands how to use that to his advantage. He’s not quick but if he learns to use his size to his advantage he could be a powerful presence in the box.

Right now, though Nicklas fails to deliver on a consistent basis. He doesn’t command the box and when it looks like he does, he either holds the ball too long or his shots are mostly off target. 

Additionally, he hasn’t shown himself to be able to get out of a jam when pressed by more than one defender. Finally, I don;t think we need to discuss that poor first touch do we? It is what infuriates me the most about him.

I have less patience for Nicky B then I do Theo. Maybe its because Nicky does a lot more talking about himself then Arsenal. Theo at least defers to the team and focuses on the team and what he can do to improve. Nicky well, he’s just Nicky the Danish wunderkind.

Bendtner needs to decide which player he is going to be, the player he was when on the reserves and showed so much promise. Or the flash in the pan who only delivers on an irregular basis.  Either way, Arsenal need him to either step up and show he deserves to be part of the attack that features Chamakh and Robin Van Persie or he should be sold.