Bendtner blow for Gunners

28 July 2010 11:30
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed striker Nicklas Bendtner will miss the start of the Barclays Premier League season due to a persistent groin injury. Bendtner, 22, underwent surgery last November but the injury hampered his World Cup campaign and he will not ready for Arsenal's opener against Liverpool on August 15. Wenger also fears he could also be without Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie, who played against each other in the World Cup final and are not due back until August 5. "Bendtner will not be available for the start of the season," Wenger said. "Fabregas and Van Persie are due to come back on August 5 and from then on we will see how much build-up work is needed physically and as well how they have recovered mentally from the World Cup. "They might be short for the first game [of the season] but I don't know, that will depend on the fitness work they have done during the holiday."

Source: PA