Hitman Bendtner wants to be top gun at the Emirates - Sport - Evening Standard
       

Hitman Bendtner wants to be top gun at the Emirates

Nicklas Bendtner has dismissed speculation he might leave Arsenal and vowed he will not rest until he is a first-team regular at Emirates Stadium.

• More Premier League news club by club

The Danish striker, who will lead the Gunners attack in tonight's Carling Cup quarter-final against Blackburn Rovers, was the subject of plenty of interest last summer following an impressive loan spell at Birmingham and Arsene Wenger is likely to fend off further advances from suitors next month.

But Bendtner said: "That's just paper talk. There's only one team for me and that's Arsenal. My heart and all my feeling is with this club."

Euro star: Nicklas Bendtner is on target against Steaua Bucharest last week

"Ever since I came here three years ago, all I have wanted to do is to break into the first team and I won't rest until that happens."

The 19-year-old has scored three goals in five starts this season, including a deft finish in the Champions League against Steaua Bucharest last week, and has edged ahead of Eduardo and Theo Walcott in the battle to understudy Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin van Persie.

Bendtner said: "I would like to say I'm an all-round striker. Everyone at this club knows what I stand for, what I can do and that is the important thing.

"They know I am not just a targetman. Playing with Arsenal is about what you can do with your feet and your touch."

Arsenal travelled north yesterday without most of the players who defeated Chelsea on Sunday but the club are still basking in the triumph of defeating one of their principal title rivals.

Asked if the battle for the Premier League was now between Arsenal and Manchester United after Chelsea and Liverpool lost ground at the weekend, captain William Gallas said: "We are not sure because the season is long. You never know, because sometimes teams can get tired and lose some points.

"Man United can lose some points. We can lose some points. Chelsea can come back, Liverpool as well. For them it is not over. It can't be said it is between Man United and Arsenal."

Meanwhile, Mathieu Flamini has admitted he is in contract negotiations with the club but the two parties are yet to agree terms.

We revealed last week that the midfielder, who becomes a free agent next month, has been offered a five-year deal.

Flamini said: "I have been talking a bit with the club a few days ago. I'm happy here so we will see.

"We have so many games in December, so it is very difficult to be concentrated on this kind of thing as we are playing every three days. I am just focused on every game and as for the contract, we will see a bit later."

Comments

Don't Miss
Rock star: Erin Wasson

Rock star

Erin Wasson is the ultimate anti-supermodel
Maybe it’s because she’s a Londoner … Happy anniversary, Ma’am

Happy anniversary

The monarchy has become stronger and more respected in the past 60 years
Victoria Coren: My obsession with children, five proposals a week and why David and I are no power couple

Victoria Coren

David Mitchell and I are no power couple
The Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition preview party

Summer party

Stars at the The Royal Academy of Arts
London gets ready for the Diamond Jubilee - in pictures

Diamond Jubilee

London gets ready - in pictures
The Glamour Awards - stars turn on the style

Glamour Awards

Stars turn on the style
Duchess of Cambridge is pretty in pink at her first Buckingham Palace garden party

Garden party

Duchess of Cambridge is pretty in pink
FIRST review of Ridley Scott's latest sci-fi blockbuster Prometheus

First review

Is Ridley Scott's Prometheus any good?
Fair-weather goths

Fair-weather goths

The sultry shades of summer darks are coming out of the shadows
Dog save the Queen: Corgis surge in popularity

Dog save the Queen

Corgis surge in popularity