I don’t know if you’ve heard but it’s all about summersaults these days. Mix that in with a bit of Italian village music and you’ve got a winning combo. See video for full effect.
Rodrigo “Rat-tail” Palacio scored a wonder goal against Lazio this weekend. I’m surprised a bigger fuss hasn’t been made of this goal, it was sheer quality.
Nicklas Bendtner arrived at Arsenal from FC Copenhagen at the age of 16 and entered their reserve team instantly. Arsenal for years had been the breading ground for many young stars and the club expected the same from the young Dane. He took a season to find his feet and settle into the club along with getting into the routine of London life and the next season he hit good form with the reserve squad. Bendtner managed to score 18 goals in 25 appearances for the reserve team and such performances earned him a call up to Arsenal’s League Cup squad where he began to make appearances as a substitute.
Wenger realised Bendtner had outgrown the reserve squad in terms of ability and sent his young player out to Championship side Birmingham on a season-long loan in 2006/07. Once again the Dane stepped up to the mark, he scored on his debut and another 10 times that season. The loan was initially only meant to be for six months but Birmingham knew his worth and asked for an extension on the loan – Arsenal were happy to oblige. Their towering young centre forward was gaining invaluable first team experience in a winning side, something that should help him grow as a player.
Upon returning to the club he signed a long-term contract and stated his desire to break into the first team. Such humble and promising words from what fans thought would be their next big star to come through. Bendtner, as most centre forwards are, was always confident in his ability – he was not scared to throw his body in, he was confident to take a man on and also shoot whenever he had the chance. He had scored impressive goals along with putting in impressive performances during his time in England, all of this helped his confidence grow. Nicklas’ first league goal came in December 2007 in the derby match against Tottenham Hotspur. He came on as a substitute and scored a header from a corner, the fans went wild! Not only did he clinch the winner with his first touch of the game but he along with fans were expecting many more moments like this. They were not to come…
That moment where Bendtner scored is probably his finest Arsenal moment but possibly what killed his career as a potentially great striker. Not only was his first goal “too big” for him but the expectation put upon him by fans, his coaches as well as himself seemed to crush him. When he was younger football looked to come easy to him, seemingly effortless yet brilliant in all that he done. He was blessed with a gift and a physique which scared defenders as they didn’t know how to mark him. Balls would come in and his ability to stop a ball dead on his foot, chest or knee would be evident, with his 6″4 frame he was able to hold up the play or stop defenders getting near him if he so wished. For such a big lad he possessed great feet and a good burst of pace, a nightmare to defend against. He seemed to be a perfect all round striker who play as a target man if he needed, a lone striker or even a man who could link play. The most comparable player I could liken him to would be Zlatan Imbrahimovic, they posses the same qualities along with a similar build but you would never but those two in the same class of footballer. Their similarities go beyond physicality and footballing traits, they both seem to have the same sort of character; extremely arrogant, enjoy terrible haircuts, and their attitude toward the game is not very positive.
Nice hair, bro
Bendtner did not work his hardest to get to where he had got to, he always thought he was better than he was. When players themselves are the only ones saying that they believe they can become the best in the world it really says a lot… He fell into the naive trap of thinking he had “made it” when signing for Arsenal and then earning a long-term contract. He has never been first a first choice striker for Arsenal, often criticised for his lack of clinical finishing and missing big chances he seems to want to play for the club any longer.
As he got older/time went on “Big Nick” made more appearances for Arsenal, starting games and even scoring goals for the Gunners but few remained hopeful and optimistic in his ability. Arsenal fans come to expect players to arrive into their first team already as a great player, if they are not that they are quick to turn… As are most fans. Sadly, his time has run out with Arsenal. He is currently on loan with Sunderland and does not have it in his plans to return to the club once his contract is over.
Bendtner would be suited to Italian football. The pace of the game and style of football does suit him. I’m still not writing him off as a footballer but he is doing a very bad job of defending my corner. He may be a late bloomer in Serie A. The Dane is still only 24, he has his best days ahead of him – hopefully. Bendtner needs to be the big fish in the small pond to excel as a footballer. The question is, is he happy to swim in the small pond?
balotellisbarber 