Tonight Arsène Wenger will hand Nicklas Bendtner the one thing he craves — a first-team chance.
Despite his reputation as one of the brightest striking talents in Europe, the Dane has not yet started a game for Arsenal.
However Wenger could give the 19-year-old no greater compliment in pre-season than to insert him into his squad for the coming campaign as one of the main four strikers. From what he told Arsenal TV Online on Monday, the manager rates Bendtner in the highest terms. However, at the same time, he knows the Copenhagen-born player must be ready when opportunity knocks.
“Nicklas is strong, he’s quick, he’s an intelligent boy, he’s a good finisher, he’s good in the air and he's a good team player,” said Wenger.
“He can create chances and give the final ball. You can play one-twos with him and he can bring other people in.
“Tuesday is one of his chances and he will get more opportunities in more big games but it’s maybe his first real opportunity this season.
“In this job, you work everyday and you are ready when you get your chance. You don’t wonder about the rest and you can never predict your chance. Part of success in life is to grab your chance when you get it and that’s why you have to always be ready.
“For me he has everything in his locker that needs to be in there. But it doesn’t mean because you have it in you that you have done it — it is all to do for him. But I would love to be 19 years-old and have his quality.”
