ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: Everton v Arsenal:NICKLAS BENDTNER has poured out his frustration at being on the fringes at Arsenal, insisting he "cannot accept" the situation and saying he will push for a transfer if it does not improve.
The Denmark striker returned to selection contention last month after a long-term groin problem, yet he has been used only as a late substitute in five Premier League matches. He started the League Cup tie at Newcastle United and the Champions League game away to Shakhtar Donetsk.
Arsene Wenger, the manager, admits it is a challenge to keep all his strikers happy – Robin van Persie is playing again after his serious ankle ligament injury, while summer signing Marouane Chamakh is the club’s top scorer with eight goals – but Wenger said outbursts from any player could not influence his selection policy.
“I’m extremely disappointed with my lack of minutes on the field,” Bendtner said; he has 45 in the Premier League this season. “I feel I’ve done everything right in getting back to fitness and I’m in the best shape of my life. I feel even better than before the injury and, at that point, I was in the starting XI and close to fulfilling my potential.
“I just lack minor things now to be back to my best again, but I’m only getting those by playing matches. When I’m 100 per cent fit I cannot accept sitting on the bench. I’m turning 23 soon and, at this stage in my career, it’s important for my development to play regularly.”
It was put to Bendtner that going public with his views may irritate Wenger. “I think I can allow myself to say this,” he replied. “I simply have to get to the next stage in my career and that’s the reason why I’m saying these things right now.
“If the situation doesn’t change and I’m still on the bench, I’ll look for a transfer. That’s obvious. But my first priority is definitely, as it always has been, to play for Arsenal. I’ve had a lot of patience and I won’t sit on the bench any more. I’ll just say that I’m 100 per cent good enough for the starting XI at Arsenal. If my manager feels differently that’s fair and he’s the one choosing the team, but I disagree.”
Wenger has grown used to Bendtner’s particular brand of self-confidence – its mention drew a wry smile yesterday – and he said the player would have to bide his time, although he accepted getting the message across may be difficult.
“When you try to convince a player that he has to be patient you waste your time,” Wenger said. “That’s what you’ve got to do, but you ask a player if he is fit after two training sessions and he says ‘Yes’. It’s normal. I was the same. Nicklas has to continue to work and when he is completely match-fit, he will play.”
Meanwhile, David Moyes has revealed Everton intend to offer Phil Jagielka a new long-term contract but that he is resigned to losing Steven Pienaar following his refusal to sign a €72,000-a-week extension.
Jagielka agreed a five-year deal at Everton in May last year while recovering from a cruciate ligament injury but, given his continued progress as an England international and rivals’ interest in the 28-year-old, the club wants to secure his services beyond 2014.
Arsenal had an €10 million bid for the former Sheffield United captain rejected in the summer.
The Everton manager said: “Yes we had a bid but it wasn’t a lot of money for Phil Jagielka. I had a word with him the day before we went to Australia on pre-season tour. I said they would have needed to offer an awful lot more money and it wasn’t at that point.
“He got on with the job no problem and there will be a new contract offer for Phil Jagielka maybe next year.
“I have tried to keep the good players here and I was really keen to do that. It was great that he accepted that.”
- Guardian Service