The Marmite footballer: Delightful or dreadful? Nicklas Bendtner is still dividing opinionBy Michael Walker Last updated at 10:30 PM on 7th September 2011 Nicklas Bendtner scored Denmark's two goals in Tuesday's win over Norway in Euro 2012 qualifying Group H. When he departed with 30 seconds to go the stadium in his home town rose as one to give Bendtner an ovation; and around north London was consternation. Red hot: Bendtner impresses for Denmark against Norway Universal acclaim and the 23-year-old Dane have not always partnered one another at Arsenal. This is a player who separates opinion. It seems you rate him or hate him: the Marmite footballer. His departure, for example, from Arsenal to Sunderland on loan last week, provoked cries of relief at the Emirates, as Bendtner stated: 'I will never go back to Arsenal.' It was regarded as a further example of the misplaced arrogance of a young man who has never knowingly undersold himself. Yet on Wearside there is genuine anticipation. Bendtner's new Sunderland colleagues have lined up to say so. At the double: The striker is mobbed after scoring for Denmark A goalscorer could transform Steve Bruce's team. Some at Arsenal will be bemused by the term 'goalscorer'. They can offer the argument that says Bendtner made his debut there six years ago next month and has not yet scored 10 goals in a Premier League season - his best tally is nine. They will point to chances missed and say Bendtner is a serial offender, sometimes of Earnshaw proportions. The tangible sense of frustration with Bendtner is compounded by his infamous self-confidence. Dividing opinion: Bendtner had his critics at Arsenal This is the character who had assistant manager Pat Rice guffawing when he got 10 out of nine in Arsenal's self-esteem evaluation in February. This is the character who said in April last year, at a time in the season when he had six league goals: 'If you ask me if I am one of the best strikers in the world, I say yes because I believe it. 'When I see that other strikers score a lot of goals, I realise I need to score those goals. But I think everything else in my game is right. Even if I believe I can still improve. But the goals are the last thing I need to add and, when I do, I believe I will be the player I want to be. One of the best.' Six was to be his final tally of league goals. Set against that, however, were mitigating facts. Bendtner made 23 Premier League appearances the season before last. But only 13 of those were starts. Six goals in 13 starts sounds a lot better. He also scored five Champions League goals that season, including a hat-trick in the last 16 against Porto. By last season, however, Bendtner was down to three Premier League starts and no Champions League goals. Those who defend Bendtner - and he is among them, obviously - add the position he frequently occupied for Arsene Wenger was not ideal: 'Remember, I spent a lot of time playing on the right wing at Arsenal.' Bad touch: Bedntner miscued a great chance in the Nou Camp last season On Tuesday against Norway, Bendtner was centre forward. In attack the Danes played to his strengths. He was the focus. But he did not play like an egomaniac. A notable aspect of Bendtner's goals was his sharp, first-touch passing. As experienced Denmark manager Morten Olsen said: 'He is very important, the way he combines with the midfield and defenders.' On the move: Bendtner has joined Sunderland on loan Bendtner as a motivated team player. It is a concept some struggle with. The build-up to Norway brought an opinion on Bendtner from former Arsenal squad player Havard Nordtveit: 'You could not say much to him (about his game) because it doesn't take much for him not to like you. 'He has his own way of doing things but he could have made more of an effort in training when he was at Arsenal.' Maybe the change from Arsenal has already brought another. On Tuesday night Bendtner said: 'It has been a heavy cloud over my head for more than a year, so getting away means a lot to me.' Unexpectedly, Bruce yesterday described Bendtner as 'endearing'. As Birmingham City manager, Bruce had the teenager on loan for season 2006-07. When offered a welcome and congratulations by a senior official at St Andrew's, Bendtner replied: 'Congratulations on signing me.' Yesterday Bruce added: 'There's no doubt that he has terrific ability and we might just have got him at the right time. 'He's got something to prove and a real hunger to show people just how good he is. Maybe he has lost his way a little bit over the last couple of years but I'm convinced this is the right move for him.' On a weekly wage thought to be what three Nissan workers together earn annually - plus a sizeable loan fee - Bendtner could do with hitting the ground running. His debut will come on Saturday against Chelsea at the Stadium of Light, where Sunderland have won once since New Year's Day. Unlike at Arsenal, Bendtner's name will not be met with indifference or groans. The 6ft 3in striker will have 40,000 Wearsiders behind him, eager for someone to love. In his own mind, Nicklas Bendtner may be an international superstar but at Sunderland he has the opportunity to become something more special in English football: a local hero. *Marmite was 'banned' in Denmark in May because of its high vitamin levels, which contravene Danish food laws
good morning Syd, i'm going to be honest i wasn't blown away by the signing of Bendtner especialy on loan and have never really rated him from his time with the gooners BUT i agree with a lot of points made above and am now coming round to the idea that he will perform really well for us. i think his ego will make him in his eyes a big fish in a small pond and therefore a far superior player to what he was at arsenal where lets face he couldnt compete with the other stars in terms of popularity and class. if you look at other bish fish small pond players over the years they have always performed very well. Jay Jay Okocha - Bolton Matt Letissier - Southampton Fabrizio Ravenelli - Boro Alan Shearer - Newcastle Nzogbia - Wigan i am therefore going on record and saying i am now quietly optomistic this signing will turn good and we will start scoring goals and picking up points and i'm still not gonna worry until we see how we get on over the next 3-5 games
He's certainly a unique individual, packing a combination of talents with a heavy load of self worth into a 6' 3" frame. He may regard himself as too big for SAFC, upset the fans, players and management - or - he may revel in the support he gets, gel with his new teammates and be motivated by SB and the coaches? In other words, I JUST DON'T F****** KNOW, and it bugs the s*** out of me. We've only got to wait until Sat to see for ourselves how he performs on the pitch and THAT is so important for him and us. KTF
The thing that stood out for me in that article was 'Sunderland have won once at home since New Years Day'
Who the **** christened him Bendy? Dreadful nickname and frankly it's a little bit like making your new girlfriend dress and act like your old girlfriend.
"In his own mind, Nicklas Bendtner may be an international superstar but at Sunderland he has the opportunity to become something more special in English football: a local hero." I like this closing line, nowadays footballers seem to bypass the feeling that being a local hero can bring. Recently Bent & Carroll left their clubs for the money etc but both could have became local heros and remembered forever. I doubt Bentdner is any different really but its a shame footballers dont see this as a reason to stay at clubs now.
Just looked on the SAFC website and I have to say the red & white shirt suits him. I think he'll be a 'love or hate' player but whatever way we look at it his finishing is top draw. Some of the goals he's scored for Arsenal where quality and I think he has the ego to carry it off here. If he thinks he's a top draw player I'm sure he'll be going all out to prove it and I think he'll be a fantastic signing for us. If he turns into a flop, then we get rid of at the end of the season. What Bruce must learn from this is that we still need a top draw striker and he should be looking into the market now because Ji & Wickham won't be ready for next season. Therefore, there is still work to be done.
I just hope he gives himself lots of reasons to be arrogant about and knocks in 20+ this season. Then signs a permanent, obviously.
Yes I hope that he does score 20+ goals for us. Even though that will leave us with the problem that bigger clubs will have taken notice and he may then be out of our price and wage range.
