Why Bendtner’s time at Arsenal is coming to an end

As the season comes to end, we find ourselves in a position where we could win the league. So of course, there are noises not only from the media, but from large section of the fans, that Wenger needs a major clear out this summer and despite being in the position we’re in, you can understand why.

Okay, so mathematically, we can still win the league; but do you honestly think we will? I mean, honestly? I don’t think a title winning side surrender a 4-0 lead, even if they do go down to ten men. I also don’t think a title winning side would lose focus when playing at home, against their local rivals, while having a 2-0 lead. I could go on.

So, what’s the answer? Well, it seems Wenger does need a clear out. A recurring phrase I’ve heard, used by fellow Arsenal fans is: ‘Get rid of the dead wood’. The dead wood are comprised by a collective of Arsenal players and the most common names that I’ve heard dropped, are: Eboue; Denilson; Rosicky; Almunia and Bendtner.

Okay, I know all these players (with the exception of Almunia) have endearing qualities, but lets be honest here. Those players, when selected, infuriate us at some point in the match – if not for the entire time Wenger allows them to play on the pitch. I’m sure there were many, many, many instances this season (and probably last), when you’ve said the sentence: ‘What the hell was that?’ – or something to that effect – in absolute disdain and disgust, at some stage in a match, when one of the players (mentioned above), ‘pass’ or ‘shoot’.

A player I want to focus on from that list of dead wood is Nicklas Bendtner. Lets face it, he’s not very good, is he? I mean, he talks a good game, banging on about how he could be the best striker in the world, etc etc, but in actuality, when you see him in ‘action’, you tend to wonder how on Earth he got to play for a club like Arsenal, who have traditionally had truly great attacking/forwards over the years.

I remember first reading about Bendtner back in 2005. He was terrorising defences in the reserves up and down the country (with one Arturo Lupoli) and there seemed to be a buzz about him, however I’d heard it all before with the likes of Stephen Hughes and Jeremie Aliadiere, so while I read it with some interest, I didn’t get too excited about it.

Timing is a crucial factor in life and it’s no different in football. In 2004/05 season, Didier Drogba signed for Chelsea and it seemed a tall, powerful target man was very much in vogue in a 4-5-1 formation, which seemed to be very prominent at that time amongst many clubs in Europe. It wasn’t long till we saw more and more physically imposing players, like Drogba, enter the Premier league and after an impressive stint in the Championship with Birmingham City, Bendtner seemed to offer something that was somewhat lacking in our squad at the time.

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