The Watchlist – Nicklas Bendtner

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Nicklas Bendtner will return to the Gunners bench for their trip to Villa Park this evening. With his return comes the opportunity for Arsenal to vary things – to recall aspects of their game that embrace the presence of a centre-forward.

Despite a run of results that have kept the Gunners in touch with the title race, there can be no doubt that Wenger has been “getting by” in the absence of Van Persie. Bendtner’s availability and likely starts in the Arsenal lineup also hand us fantasy managers the opportunity to cash in on their undoubted attacking flair with a mid-price signing…

Bendtner last appeared in an Arsenal shirt back on October 31 when he limped off early with a groin injury in the win over local rivals Spurs at the Emirates. Since then Wenger has been forced to focus his attack on the nimble feet and quick minds of Arshavin and Eduardo. He has surely missed the availability of a player that at least resembles a centre-forward. Wenger certainly indicated as much when he spoke of Bendtner’s return yesterday…

“Bendtner has qualities that are important in the squad..He’s a good player and he is tall as well.”

The Arsenal boss cleary has faith in Bendtner. When asked recently whether he would be looking to bring in a physically imposing striker in the January transfer window, Wenger gave the press no doubt that he saw a returning Bendtner as the solution…

“I have just come in from a training session where Bendtner looked exactly like the guy you describe.”

The Dane’s presence up front will likely see a shift in Arsenal’s play to an extent. Arshavin will surely now find himself back in a flanking role, with Rosicky, Nasri, Eduardo and Walcott competing for the starting berth on Bendtner’s opposite flank. Much depends on Bendtner’s fitness and his impact on his return though. If he hits the ground running, it seems possible that he will at last get the opportunity for a run of starts in the centre-forward role; something he’s been craving this season having been asked to play on the flank with Van Persie in the side.

“I am an attacker not a winger. I have always seen myself as a striker and it is my goal to play as a striker all the time.”

Bendtner made 17 league starts last season, with 14 substitute appearances. Despite a sporadic run, he still returned a reasonable 9 goals with 2 assists in the Fantasy Premier League game. Although much-maligned, thanks in no small part to his rabid PR machine, I tipped Bendtner to be the most prolific budget marksman this season. Wigan’s Rodalllega has a significant march on the Arsenal man in this respect but this could be the time for Bendtner to make up ground.

Priced at just 5.9 in the Fantasy Premier League game, Bendtner is now back in our thinking for Arsenals remaining games then. In the short-term however, the fixture list appears to do him few favours.

Games against United, Chelsea and Liverpool from gameweek 24-26 hardly present the striker with easy opponents with which to display his talents and fantasy potential. Bendtner is not short on confidence however and will cause those opponents problems. From gameweek 27 onwards, Arsenal have a handy run of fixtures that appear to hand them the opportunity to cut loose and produce the kind of attacking football that could yet win them the title. Bendtner could well be a key figure, offering big rewards to his fantasy investors.