To hell and back for Bendtner

Gunners striker hoping for an end to injury nightmare

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 2nd February 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

To hell and back for Bendtner

Bendtner: Keen to get going

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Nicklas Bendtner is hoping to soon be back to his best after overcoming his personal injury 'hell'.

The Arsenal striker was recently sidelined for three months after undergoing surgery on a niggling groin problem.

He is, however, now back in the Gunners fold and made his second appearance since completing his rehabilitation as a substitute in Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Manchester United.

With Robin van Persie still struggling with an ankle problem, and with Arsene Wenger opting against bolstering his attacking options during the January transfer window, Bendtner looks set to become an integral part of Arsenal's plans over the coming months.

The 22-year-old, who has endured a stop-start season so far, hopes that proves to be case, keen to leave the problems of his recent past behind him.

"When people have been out with long-term injuries they say it was hell. I can understand that now," said Bendtner.

Motivation

"It is difficult to motivate yourself because you come in to training each day doing the same things.

"But you stay motivated by telling yourself that one day soon you will be better.

"When you come back, you know you are going to be strong."

Bendtner added: "I am almost back to 100 per cent now and I am going to get better and better all the time.

"You always want to give your best and that is what I will try to do."