Nicklas Bendtner realises he is "very lucky" after emerging from the wreckage of his Aston Martin DBS almost unscathed, his father said today.

The Arsenal striker crashed his £120,000 sports car while driving to training on Sunday morning but suffered only bruising to his shoulder and grazing to his knee.

An East of England Ambulance Service spokesman said the Denmark international had a "very lucky escape" while the player himself is still coming to terms with the accident.

His father, Thomas, said: "Nicklas is badly shaken and has some bruises but knows he was very lucky. He trained by himself yesterday on a bike in order to be careful."

The accident happened on the A1 (M) near South Mimms and two members of Arsenal staff collected the player and took him to their training ground in London Colney where he was examined.

Although Bendtner escaped serious injury, the fact he has been unable to train fully means he has been left out of the squad for tonight's Champions League game against Olympiakos.