Bendtner blow for Gunners

Striker to miss openers, but Denilson and Djourou should be fine

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 28th July 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Bendtner blow for Gunners

Bendtner: Groin problem

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed that Nicklas Bendtner is set to miss the start of the season.

The Danish striker is still struggling with a persistent groin injury and will now sit out the opening to the 2010/11 Premier League campaign.

Bendtner has been nursing the knock for some time and struggled through this summer's World Cup as he attempted to avoid further inflaming the problem.

His exploits at international level are unlikely to have aided his cause, but Arsenal are prepared to give him the rest he needs.

Wenger will be disappointed to be missing a physical presence at the head of his team, but accepts that the 22-year-old needs time in which to make a full recovery.

Concerns

He told Arsenal's official website: "Bendtner will not be available for the start of the season. We don't know [how bad it is]."

Wenger also has concerns regarding the fitness of Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie, who both graced this summer's World Cup final, but has received better news on Denilson's recovery from a niggling knock.

"Denilson should be [fit] - maybe not for the Emirates Cup but for the Warsaw game and (Abou) Diaby as well," added the Frenchman.

"Fabregas and Van Persie are due to come back on 5th August and from then on we will see how much build-up work is needed physically and as well how they have recovered mentally from the World Cup.

"They might be short for the first game [of the season] but I don't know, that will depend on the fitness work they have done during the holiday."

Gamble

Johan Djourou, who hobbled off during the first half of Tuesday's 4-0 pre-season win over SC Neusiedl 1919, is another of those expected to shake off a slight problem in time for this weekend's Emirates Cup - which can be seen live on Sky Sports HD 3 and Sky Sports 3.

"Djourou has a small hamstring problem but it is not bad," said Wenger after the convincing midweek win.

"He should be available for the weekend.

"(Tomas) Rosicky had a small, small alert. He was supposed to play in the first half but he could have played.

"I didn't want to take the gamble, it is only a little problem on his groin and I decided to replace him."

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Comments (6)

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Ben Blackman (Manchester United fan) says...

I would say this is a massive bonus for arsenal i think Bendtner is seriously not a good enough to play for arsenal, They really need to get rid off this waiste man and buy a proven stricker to play along side rvp.

Posted 13:19 28th July 2010

Mark Smith (Arsenal fan) says...

same old same old, key players out for the start of the season. unknown players bought again. but the fans ofcourse pay the most in england to watch them.

Posted 12:23 28th July 2010

Abdi Ali (Arsenal fan) says...

hi the only thing i wanted to say is pls mr wenger can u stand up and sign a central defender & experienced g keeper before the deadline day stop beaing so economical splash the money so that we will not be like liverpool who will not be palying c/league this season pls dont leat arsenal fans down gooner for life

Posted 12:16 28th July 2010

Ani Okon (Arsenal fan) says...

We now have Chamakh, so Bendtner''s injury isn''t of much concern. I believe C29 has d physical presence to lead d attack even without VP10...

Posted 11:50 28th July 2010

Kieran Brown (Arsenal fan) says...

Problem? Problem!? That''s a godsend! Praise be that we won''t have that utter lummox fluffing chances left right and centre for a few games. I for one, could not be happier!

Posted 11:38 28th July 2010

Nick Manickam (Arsenal fan) says...

The season hasnt even started and we are seeing the early glimpses of the Arsenal injury list. I understand its been a major excuse for us to suffer every league blaming it on injuries. Arsenal seem to have one of the highest injury list in the squad. A serious thought has to be given to this. Bendtner, whether injured or not, is not at all any useful. I am on the verge of losing patience, having kept it for the last 5 years of not winning a single silverware. Hope there are some good signings this year which so far hasnt happened. All the Best Gunners.

Posted 11:12 28th July 2010
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