It has been a season loaded with difficult moments for Nicklas Bendtner, but the Arsenal FC forward could still have a major say in trying to send his side into the UEFA Champions League final after twice finding the net at Portsmouth FC on Saturday.
Goals needed
The 21-year-old headed past David James with 13 minutes gone and doubled the lead from the penalty spot four minutes before half-time, with Carlos Vela scoring eleven minutes after the restart as the Gunners guaranteed themselves participation in next season's UEFA Champions League with a 3-0 win. It is this year's edition of the competition that most occupies Arsenal minds, though, and with Manchester United FC bringing a 1-0 cushion to north London on Tuesday after last week's semi-final first leg at Old Trafford, goals will be at a premium for Arsène Wenger's team.
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Wenger praise
Singled out for criticism at times in the current campaign, Bendtner would make for an unlikely hero were he to fire the goals that took Arsenal through. He himself admits he "could not put a foot right" on occasions this term, but with Robin van Persie uncertain to feature due to a groin injury and Eduardo da Silva ruled out for the rest of the season, the Danish international could well get the chance to show he belongs at this level – most probably as an impact substitute. "If I have one merit, I always believed in Bendtner," said Wenger after the Portsmouth victory. "He is developing very well and showed that again here."
Energetic presence
While Wenger has always been a fan, Arsenal supporters have steadily been learning to appreciate the qualities Bendtner provides. His touch may not match up to that of more gifted team-mates, but his persistence and energy continually provoke goalscoring opportunities and his passing acumen is underrated. The fact Arsenal have made it this far at all also owes more than a little to Bendtner's 87th-minute winner against FC Dynamo Kyiv on Matchday 5, the strike that sealed the club's passage to the knockout stages. Overall, his 14-goal haul in all competitions this season stands up well alongside Emmanuel Adebayor's 16 and Van Persie's 17.
Supreme confidence
The Copenhagen native is a supremely confident individual as well, and fully expects Arsenal to line up against either FC Barcelona or Chelsea FC at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on 27 May. "I am 100 per cent sure we will pass through to the final," he said. "Of course you never feel good after a defeat but we're looking at the return positively. I am confident we will play in the final." A goal for United on Tuesday would seriously complicate their task, but even then Bendtner believes in his side's potential. "Can we manage to score three goals? Yes, we have those qualities."
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