By Ollie Irish
Arsenal’s Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner is set to make his first appearance of the season, against Birmingham on Saturday, after recovering from a groin injury which he aggravated at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Bendtner claims he is “probably in the best physical shape ever”. Ah, he’s still a cocky son of a gun then: phew. The Prem would be much less interesting if the Dane had dosed up on humility during his spell in the physio room.
Arsene Wenger is also ringing with optimism about the prospect of Bendy’s return.
“Let’s not forget that since last November Nicklas has produced here and there, but never had a consistent presence because of his injuries,” Wenger said.
“Apart from the fact he went to the World Cup we have not seen the real Nicklas Bendtner for a long, long time.
“He is the closest he has been to his best for a while – he was really, really handicapped by groin problems, but they have gone now.”
And I can’t wait to see Bendy miss a series of sitters, then score a wonder goal in injury time.
Theo Walcott might also be on the bench this weekend, Wenger revealed.