I sat down and watched the second half of the Arsenal v Birm. game again today. I couldnt bear to watch the first half again. What I was looking for was whether or not Ade was motivated by the golden boot or his team spirit to win the title. What I saw was a very selfish individual who put personal glory ahead of his teammates; on a day when he saw one of them go down to a horrific injury.
If you watched the game I’m sure you know of the play I am speaking. Ade is onside on a long ball, he gets behind the defense, Bendtner races along side to help him. Instead of a simple pass to Nic and a tap in goal, he shoots himself and gets it saved. That goal would have sealed the game at 3-1. I watched the sequence a few times and there is no way he could not see Nic since he was aiming at the far post anyway.
Team unity is why Arsenal are playing the way they are this seasonal. If Ade’s head grows too big I fear for the squad. Am I way off on this? Please let me know if anyone else saw this on Saturday?
44 Responses to “A time for being UN selfish!”
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February 27th, 2008 at 11:25 am
You are NOT off on this one… in my opinion.
Ade’s play has been a revelation this season. He’s been massive.
But its obvious he has issues with Bendtner. The only other fight between team-mates I recall (on pitch) was Newcastle a few years back… while Ade/Nic’s bust-up wasn’t anything like that, it was still a DISGRACE.
They need to sort that out… or one of them has to go.
And regardless, Ade might have shot at goal no matter who it was.
He is more selfish, than most of our team… but we often criticize our players for not shooting enough… and trying to pass the ball into the net?!
I don’t think you are off.
He cost us 2 points in the title race by not passing.
February 27th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Bendtner was blanked twice by Fabregas against AC Milan. Look at both of Fabregas’s shots against Milan and you will see Bendtner is in great positions both times. A simple slip-through by Fabregas and it is genuine one-on-one time with Kalac.
It is hard to admonish Fabregas for shooting as he was criticised in seasons past for passing too much, but Cesc’s decision-making in recent months has been sub-standard in relation to his huge talent. Although a large part of that judgement is retrospective and with the benefit of hindsight, it is nevertheless apparent that Cesc’s freakish ability to remain composed and spot reverse passes has dwindled in recent times.
Adebayor never passes unless it’s a last resort or he has no option, but he’s got 19 goals so I think he is entitled to be selfish.
Selfishness versus selflessness is a hard one to judge. In some ways your damned if you do and damned if you don’t.
February 27th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
I agree that Adebayor should have passed, he definitely saw Bendtner - but I really don’t believe he did not square it because he doesn’t like Bendtner - more likely he wanted to beat the record of scoring in 9 consecutive league games.
Adebayor was confident so he struck it - it wasn’t a bad effort, on target and required a decent save. Maybe if had passed it he might have overhit it so he took his chance.
Personally I don’t believe players refrain from passing to eachother in such situations. They usually have a split second and are not likely to make a morale decision like that - you want the team to win above all.
As we know, Bendtner does have an arrogance about him, how deep running it is remains to be seen. I am increasingly beginning to think Wenger will move him on, not because he is a troublemaker, but because he’s not good enough at this level. He could be a decent Premiership striker, but not world class like Eduardo will be, Adebayor is becoming and Van Persie already is. With Walcott and Vela on the book - both able to play through the middle, Bendtner’s days are numbered unless he surpasses all expectations in the next few months.
February 27th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Ade had enough time on the ball to know that Bendtner was there. The scoring record might have been on his mind, but at the same time he should have passed. We do blame players for not being selfish but not in such open situations. Anyway, he has been massive this season and we can give him the benefit of doubt.
But there is no doubt that Arsenal need to sort out any team spirit problem. Along with the Ade-Bendtner situation, I would like to mention Gallas as well. However much he cares for the team, his actions would not have helped his team-mates, especially Clichy. I hope the two have spoken to each other otherwise Clichy could be a bundle of nerves in the next game.
February 27th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
You also know, in the deep crevices of his mind, Bendtner is not too cut up about Eduardo’s injury. He knows he will get more game time now.
February 27th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Mazza, are you for real?
You think Bendtner is sub-consciously cool with the injury to Eduardo?
Thats a bit much.
February 27th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Stag, your being a little naive. This is a competitive business and you have to take every opportunity you can. Even the affable David Seaman said on an interview a few years ago that players always are two minds over teammates- battling for the same positions- who get injured. One hand you feel sympathy but on the hand you get a chance to stake a claim.
Now that Bentdner knows Eduardo should make a full recovery he will realise the opportunity is there. It’s human nature for a footballer.
February 27th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Surely Nick is a good player. He is very talented for an 18 years old. He has put himself in Arsenal’s squad unlike many younger strikers before.
As a striker, you need to be selfish. Not always ..but a striker that passes in this situation (2-1 up and 1v1 with the goalie) will pass next time when he should not. Think like a player going to goal rather than a fan siting at home.
Nick was like many players on that pitch horrified with the injury worried that such injury happened to a player in the same field. Nick wants to play and thats a chance for him. But he is under pressure now.
Nick wants to win the title. And beleive me, in soccer if you have a teammate banging goals for your team, you will think highly of him even if he is keeping YOU on the bench.
I rate Nick very high.
February 27th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Mazza is right. Nic has to know that this is a big opportunity for him. I’m not saying he’s the type of person to wish something like Eduardo’s injury on anyone (few would), but it doesn’t take a genius to see that this is a big opportunity to him.
February 27th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Let’s face it - i think only Adebyaor knows what he’s thinking when he decided to take the shot instead of pass.
Maybe he wanted to break the record, maybe he didn’t like Bendtner… who knows?
how about that - perhaps he’s high on confidence at the moment and he believed he could score, afterall, he almost did but for a great reflax save from the keeper.
i am not saying this was the case, just one possibility.
besides, when Hleb got into the great scoring position and decided to pass, we all frustrated of his “unselfishness”. So imagine had Adebayor decided to pass, if somehow he made a mess of his pass, we might be complaining his “unselfishness” instead of “selfishness” with this post.
Generally speaking, i think one of the biggest problems of our team at the moment is not being selfish, rather the other way around, still from time to time we were guilty of one pass too much.
February 27th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
As for the Arsenal strikers and the Birmingham game.
I think that game went to a draw because of two bad calls by Referee Dean and not because they weren’t attempting to score or share the ball. Cliche got all of the ball, okay maybe he looked kinda like an ass doing it and maybe that’s why Dean made the penalty call but it wasn’t a penalty.
If Arsenal had of rightfully won the game we’d only be talking about Eduardo.
That said I do think that there have been a few games where I wish they would have passed it to Bendtner who clearly had a better chance to score. Then again that’s in the realm of “woulda, coulda, shoulda” we don’t know.
Bendtner is a bit of an anomaly to me. I wish he’d score more but he’s not on the pitch that much and he does lack service so who knows.
February 27th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
It’s true, Ade should have passed the ball to Bendtner, but remember this: at heart, pretty much all the good or great strikers are selfish. Yes, yes, I’m sure there are examples of those who don’t fit the mold, but it seems to generally be part of the make-up of a person whose only job is to score goals. Not to pass or defend, but to score.
February 27th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
A clue to Adebayor’s mindset was that patently ridiculous dive he did against Man Utd, he was scoring in every game and was desperate to keep that run going - never mind the Premier League run. So, yeah, I think he was going to selfish no matter what.
As for Bendtner, I doubt he is “happy” Eduardo got injured, but yeah, however unusual it sounds there is sure to be a part of him that welcomed the fact he has a real chance now. The whole concept probably messes with his head too.
February 27th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
I was screaming at the screen after he elected to take a shot instead of passing to Bendtner in a clear position
February 27th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Thats human psychology. You want to do the right thing and feel sorry abut Dudu but Nick will feel excited that he has a chance to prove himself as well. I think its perfectly normal and I’d be surprised if it were’nt that way. After all if say tomorrow Rooney got injured and Andy Johnson got a call; he’d be happy right? Its not that he wanted and plotted for Rooney to get injured..its just that he wants to play as well. Nick feeling that way hence is perfectly fine - man is born selfish and is always meant to be that way….anything apart from that is unnatural and I don’t mean that in a wrong sense.
February 27th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Well, Bendtner might not be worldclass - but he is still fourth choice. And he is a “big bully” in the Carling cup…so I dont see why he shouldnt be kept - for at least another year.
Adebayor has poor “stationary” ball control, poor passing and definitely poor vision.
BUT the things he has are very valuable. Constant running and hardwork, fast learning skill as well as NEVER letting his head drop even after missing open goals. He just keeps going at it.
His greatest asset though - and one that Arsenal needs much more from other players - is the sheer desire to WIN, the desire to take the game on by himself. The aim to be the deciding factor.
I remember the home match against Pompey where he came in as a sub with Arsenal 2 down and completely changed the complexion of the game. I think that was also on his thinking when he dived in the Man U game. He would have felt he needed to do anything to bring the game back to 3-1 with 20 minutes more to go.
So even though the technique might not be there right now - he definitely has the right attitude. He learns fast and corrects his mistake.
February 27th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
yep, human beings are the epitomy of selfishness - that’s just the way it is, it’s called self-sufficiency/survival.
February 27th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
the good thing is Fred, ball control and passing can improve on the training pitch, and vision with age. he can become the complete player - we have already seen a huge jump in quality in just one year - and he is only 23.
let’s hope his ego doesn’t grow out of all proportion too.
February 27th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
One of my favorite parts about Adebayor BEFORE his rise this year was his selflessness. He always seemed to be in the right place to set up an Henry strike or supporting a run… he seemed like a natural number 2 striker. Of course, he has now proven that he, as well, can find the back of the net and I’m sure we all appreciate him for that; however, looking at the game again WVgunner appears to be correct - he could have passed for the tap in. Would the shot have been on target? Would the goalie have made a miracle save? Impossible to know. I do like seeing that goal scoring drive in Adebayor, but Arsenal’s trademark is the pretty passing that allows us to walk the ball in. Adebayor also had that miserable pass to Cesc in the Milan game where, had he just had some/any touch on the ball it was a 1v1 with the keeper. I sincerely hope that Adebayor hasn’t lost a sense of selflessness with his rise… perhaps he needs another high-rate striker like VanPersie to balance his play back out - is it pressure to be the number one striker or is the ego that comes with being the number one striker… only Ade knows and only time will tell.
As for Nic - I hope he keeps getting his chances… he’s great to watch and seems to bring in some of the bulldog mentality that Arsenal sometimes lack. I don’t think he was happy or was wishing for the injury to Eduardo… the notion seems a little ridiculous, even given the competitive nature of footballers.
February 27th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
I’m a big fan of Ade’s as you know.
What has been of interest is to see that as his goalscoring has improved his desire to release the ball to a team mate has diminished. It’s rational if you stop and think. When you aren’t confident about scoring your more likely to pass the responsibility to someone else, but when you taste the euphoria of being your teams main-man you want to keep savouring the taste.
I think this is part of Ade’s development. He is a great team man, and his skillset is very team oriented, so I think he will work this through and we’ll likely see an even more rounded centre-forward emerge with a frightening hunger for goals.
Whilst I’m intrigued to see the Ade/Bendtner situation play out, I’m even more intrigued as to whether there is a wider issue between Bendtner and his teammates, not just Ade. As Mazza alluded to even Fab didn’t pass to him when it seemed more likely. Ego is a strange thing, you need it to get to the top, but how you present it to those around you can have a huge impact. Bendtner is playing a team game and at present he isn’t a big name nor a big contributor so if he casts an air of superiority toward his team mates that may just backfire. Remember many of them are of similar age, it’s not as though Arsenal are a ‘mature’ squad age-wise so they are less likely to forgive his arrogance because of his age. When he or his father mouths off they will just think “the guys a dick”. Get a few influencial members of the squad thinking that and it can become a difficult situation & a lonely place.
February 27th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Yeah Kiwi, his arrogance might be robbing off on his teammates in general. But like Van Persie I think if he starts a few and scores a few important goals - it will dissappear completely. That is how it works.
As a youngster you either go the “flamini” route - make close friends with all the main players and do a lot of running OR you go the “van persie” route - arrogant, selfish but make some “impact” plays that would earn your mates instant respect and Wenger’s as well.
If Bendtner scores against Villa, and bags the winner against Milan - from then onwards all his teammates will see him very clearly. Thats how it goes.
Even Walcott got more passes after scoring twice.
February 27th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Good points Fred. I’m relaxed about Bendtner.
Really nice article about Eduardo and the Croatian officials visiting him…..and his wife and family etc. The guy seems like a thoroughly likeable and decent bloke.
http://arsenalanalysis.blogspot.com/2008/02/eduardo-denied-permission-by-arsenal-to.html
To be honest my initial feelings on his recovery have been pretty pessimistic. Really bad injuries to a striker rarely have a happy ending. Sometimes they don’t make the grade, sometimes they do but their game is reduced. But Eduardo seems to have some of the key ingredients to give him a fighting chance…..a supportive family, well liked so hopefully will get ongoing encouragement from mates & officials, a good positive attitude, forgave Taylor so isn’t ensnared with bitterness, will get top care from Arsenal medics.
Go well Dudu.
February 27th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Good call on your previous points Kiwi, however, I think there may be more it than meets the eye. In the past few games Bendtner has had good scoring opportunities and failed to score, one with only the keeper to beat which he blazed over the bar.
When you are a fringe player and missing becomes habitual, teammates tend to ignore you and look for others in whom they have confidence. Not saying it’s fair, just saying it’s the name of the game. Also, outside of the Carling Cup against lesser opposition,
Nick has failed to make an impact as a starter. His best times have been coming off the bench against tired opponents. Also, playing Nick with Ade is like chasing Grey Goose with Ketel One, individually they are both great tasting, but together tastes like crap and probably would leave you with a stinking hangover.
Unless Ade gets injured I do not see Nick getting much playing time in the EPL and we are out of the FA cup. Walcott and RVP, when he returns, will be used to complement Ade when we employ the 4-4-2 and Rosicky/Hleib when we go 4-4-1-1 or 4-5-1.
February 27th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
CaribKid, I agree, Wenger has the choice of 4-4-2 or 4-5-1. Under 4-4-2 Walcott is likely to get the nod alongside Ade until RvP’s return.
Quite excited about the Villa game to see the way our boys respond. I think Gallas will be quite remorseful over his behaviour as captain. This season has been a bit like a game of pass-the-parcel. Under every wrapper there is a little present - the little presents have been the way this team has responded to each challenge. Let’s hope that when the music finally stops we are left in first place holding the ultimate prize.
February 27th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
I am very excited about the Villa game myself and think it will be pivotal in determining whether we stay in the Championship hunt or just plain fold. Villa is currently 6th in the EPL and has only lost 2 away games, albeit drawing 6. To soundly beat them at home would certainly boost our confidence in anticipation of our head to head with Manu, Chelsea and liverpool, the first two being away.
February 27th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
I think the team will be pretty motivated. I’ve liked the way the midfield seems to be a bit more in tune lately. Hleb and Fabregas are buzzing around a bit more, the Flamster fills the gaps and shows everyone what effort is. The passing isn’t quite there yet but is certainly improving. I think we’ve moved out of that ‘low’ phase and our general play is better.
The 2 tankings we got (Spurs & ManU) were due to reduced teams. Basically I hate Wenger tinkering with teams. We tend to do best when we either play our Top Team or the Baby Team. A mix often ends in tears.
February 27th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
“A mix often ends in tears”. LOL how true!
I dont think we will have a “normal” win against villa. We will either struggle in that match due to weak spirit or we will really stuff them by 5 or something. Personally i think this whole Eduardo thing will boost us.
February 27th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Thanks for the link Kiwi. Good to see Eduardo in nice spirits. Also apparently in good spirits is Taylor as per this picture on a Croatian paper pointed to by the Guardian blog . As per the pic angle, one can Taylor getting a pat on his back and his new sidekick Larsson hoping up and down vying for Taylor’s attention.
February 27th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
“besides, when Hleb got into the great scoring position and decided to pass, we all frustrated of his “unselfishness”. So imagine had Adebayor decided to pass, if somehow he made a mess of his pass, we might be complaining his “unselfishness” instead of “selfishness” with this post.”
Ade was 1:1 with the GK, Bendtner was open on goal, there wasn’t a defender in sight. Hleb was not clear 1:1 with the GK and there wasn’t any Arsenal player open on goal and there was too many defenders when he passed the ball. Surely there is a difference between the two scenarios.
If Hleb passes to an open Bendtner, would I be complaining? Hell no!! I think footballers are clever enough to know when a fellow player is open on goal and when they are not. I still feel that Ade shot because he went for the goals record. He probably won’t do it again, but if it’s Bendtner he has to pass to, I don’t know.
I am with those who think that the whole team has a problem with Bendtner, however sub-conscious it may be. But we need to sort it out. Eduardo’s pain is Bendtner’s gain. He needs to make the most it, but at the same time the team has to help him out too. That’s the only way we are winning the title.
I am very interested to see if Wenger will play 4-4-2 on Sat. I think not. I think it will be a very tight game. My initial thoughts are that Villa can snatch a draw. Arsenal will have to work very hard.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:30 am
There are some commentators in football who simply can’t take a trick…..and Steve McMahon is one of them. He loves to be definitive and say this is going to happen or that is going to happen and gets all intense in doing so. But his analysis is more often than not woefully wrong.
I’ve noticed that he likes to side against Arsenal. Don’t no why. Maybe it’s some latent hangover from 89 when THAT Michael Thomas goal nicked the title from Liverpool and McMahon was in the team. It was probably the most emotion charged title decider ever. I can still remember watching it.
Anyway take comfort guys cause mighty McMahon tells us that ManU will likely overtake us and win the title because they have better discipline and are a better team.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:19 am
Kiwi, sounds like you get the same telecast that we do, ESPN + Star Sports.
McMahon is the typical British commentator - the same types who will say that Taylor is a saint, Eduardo was unlucky, Terry is a “smashing” lad and Arsenal have too many foreigners. I’ve noticed that when Arsenal are on a roll, he actually sides with Arsenal, but loves it when they fail. A case in point was the weekend.
I remember Gerry Armstrong from Sky Sports saying that Birmingham will nick a point while McMahon was sure shot about Arsenal winning. But after the game, imagine the joy on his face, especially Gallas’ reaction. No wonder he is tipping ManU now.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:21 am
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/02/28/quick-thinking-arsenal-physio-might-have-saved-eduardo-s-career-89520-20334350/
Glad to see our physio Gary Lewin received some long over due credit. At the past I saw ppl blamed our physios for some players’ long standing injury. but the physio to me, it’s like the medics in the battle field, they are not doctors, they are not surgeons.. they are there to provide first aid.
Lewin has been with the club for as long as i can remember. no one mentioned his name much. for me, he’s almost like an icon of AFC, you always saw his face there with the Arsenal match squad. if u look at the old match video of Arsenal under GG, Lewin was there too!
February 28th, 2008 at 4:24 am
If all of McMahon’s predictions are like this, we stand a massive chance.
http://www.brunei-online.com/bb/thu/feb28s2.htm
ManU for the league title.
Liverpool for 4th place.
Inter Milan for CL.
Spain for Euro2008.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:27 am
interesting, i also tip Spain for Euro 2008. yes, they constantly bottled it up in major tournament at the past, but this side just so blessed with talent.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:30 am
Andy Gray on Gallas and Arsenal
http://www.football365.com/andy_gray/0,17033,8745_3204537,00.html
Notice how he says - “They will be happy with the fixture coming up on Saturday even though Aston Villa are in good form. They are at home, in front of 60,000 fans, on a lovely pitch suited to their passing style. Villa are also a team who are - almost to their detriment at times - not at all combative and will allow the Gunners room to play.”
Some things don’t change.
February 28th, 2008 at 10:37 am
“It was nice to get a poacher’s goal. My agents have told me I need more of those” - Theo Walcott reveals the inspiration behind his equaliser at Brum.
February 28th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
I think Walcott on a normal, confident day is a “natural” poacher that could be of Owen circa 2001 status.
The problem is that almost all his other skills come short.
The only solution I can see is to put him at the top of the team formation, so that he is the last to get the ball. If he bangs in a few goals over a stretch of some weeks, he will then be confident enough to develop his overall game.
February 28th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
All these pundits who predict “this and that” are just like us here, a bunch of PAPER TIGERS. Fortunately for us Arsenal fans the game is played on grass and not paper. The only thing you can really get from playing footy on paper is hemorrhoids. I mean really, oh he broke his pencil in two, no their Q button on the keyboard is no longer working - boo f’n hoo.
The club is indeed at a pivotal stage of the season and personally I think they need a siege mentality to finish in top spot.
A siege mentality that goes something like this: F_uck Andy Gray, fu_k McMahon, fuc_ most of the British Press, _uck ManUre, f_ck e’m all. It’s ours to win, so F_uck Off all you wankers. It works for me
victoria concordia crescit - victory grows out of harmony, has never sounded truer. Thank you Harry Homer!
________________________________
kiss the crest
keep the faith
up the arse
believe
February 28th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
First off, there is a difference between not being torn up about the injury to Eduardo and taking advantage of the opportunity. I think Bendtner wants to take advantage of us missing one striker in addition to the one we are already missing, but that does not mean he is not very upset about the injury and doesn’t wish it ever happened. But I do have to say, I don’t think Eduardo’s injury will give that much extra time for Bendtner to play. I don’t like the idea of Bendtner and Adebayor starting, and I don’t think Wenger would go for that either. Add to that the fact that Diaby just got over his injury. So for the next couple of weeks while Van Persie is still out, I am guessing we will start with Adebayor and Walcott in front. Bendtner will still be a good sub, I think. Eboue will be done with his suspension, Rosciky is not too far off. I really like Bendtner and I think he is a very good player but he is not about to unseat Adebayor, and I don’t think they will be starting alongside each other either.
February 28th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
its funny though, bendtner would be a massive player for a mid-table team - and he is the type that would torture our current defense. lol.
shows how far adebayor has come.
February 29th, 2008 at 1:26 am
Yes SEH, fortunately the game is not decided by opinions, otherwise Man Utd would have won the league before a ball being kicked.
as for Bendtner, i think any half decent human being would not wish that kind of injury happens to anyone. They are all footballers, when they see injury like that, I bet the first thing on their mind is “it could have been me”, rather than “great, that sucker is out, I m going to get my chance”.
At the end of the day, it’s still performance on the pitch that counts, if Bendtner gets his chances and fails to perform, he knows it well enough whether Eduardo out or not would be irrelevant.
February 29th, 2008 at 2:27 am
Once again I must lay claim to the Bendtner issue. Nick will get no more playing time because of Edu’s injury. He is in direct competition with Ade and would only benefit if Ade gets injured.
If we go with 4-4-2 Wacott/RVP will start to partner Ade. If we go 4-5-1 or 4-4-1 (never could tell the difference between those two), Hleib or Rosicky will be the other forward.
Let’s put this issue to rest. The biggest issue will be how Arsenal as a team responds to last weeks travesty. Will they come out with all canons firing or will they just fold? Your guess is as good as mine, and only Saturday will tell.
February 29th, 2008 at 2:31 am
CaribKid, what you say is true only if all are fit. Last weekend, didn’t we play 4-4-2 with Ade + Bendtner, after Eduardo got injured? Only Diaby could be back for this weekend.
February 29th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
The problem about Bendtner is that he is not good enough at this time to unseat Adebayor but he believes that he is. He would be an ideal back-up striker - international class but not world class. However, his ego will probably not let him play back-up.
The risk in keeping him is that he unsettles the team because he lacks friends in the team. The risk in selling him is that he develops further and becomes as good if not better than Adebayor in future.
In the past (Bentley, Pennant, Sidwell), Wenger has sold or let go players who thought they were ready for the first team but weren’t prepared to wait. So far he has got away with it by getting it right, but someday he will let some impatient youngster go who will turn into a superstar. It will be interesting to see what he does with Bendtner at the end of the season.