Friday 27 September 2013

Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner has confidence, he just needs to stay fit ... - Telegraph.co.uk

"For a guy who has not played for such a long time, and on his own up front, he did very well."'

On the incident where Bendtner was tackled by Dawson, Wenger said: "What happened to him is what happens to many strikers when they have too much time to score - they wait and wait, and wait for too long. But overall, I thought his game was positive.

"One thing you don't question too much with him is his confidence.

"I believe for Nicklas, the most important thing for him is to stay fit. As for the rest, he has the talent.

"It is important that he is now consistently present and works hard physically. He has top qualities."

Wenger fielded several young players inexperienced at this level, such as 20-year-old first-time starter Eisfeld, debutant Isaac Hayden, Kris Olsson - another making his senior bow - and Chuba Akpom, with the latter pair coming off the bench and scoring in the shoot-out.

Wenger, whose team host Chelsea in round four, said: "I am proud. We played with many young players and they showed they are not only good footballers but that they can fight as well.

"I decided to go for young players with the penalties and they coped well with the pressure."

West Brom made eight changes to their starting line-up from their Premier League win over Sunderland and Albion joint-assistant head coach Kevin Keen felt the team had performed well.

"I think over the 90 minutes we probably just about shaded it and over the 120 we definitely shaded it," Keen said.

"So to come away without going through to the next round is rather deflating - and the lads are disappointed."

(Edited by Giles Mole)

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