Source: SKY_Sports
Bendtner earns Wenger praise
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger feels Nicklas Bendtner is beginning to fulfil his undoubted potential.[LNB] The Danish frontman has struggled to maintain a consistent level of performance during his time with the Gunners, after initially catching the eye in the club's academy ranks.[LNB]At 21 years old is now beginning to mature, though, and appears to have all the credentials required to be a top class frontman.[LNB]Wenger certainly believes that Bendtner is capable of becoming a fearsome marksman, but admits that the youngster is still far from the finished article.[LNB]"Since the beginning of the season I'm very happy with him," Wenger told the club's official website.[LNB]"So far he has played in many games, performed and improved.[LNB]"He is a player who will improve every year. Nicklas is a good size and is a very pacey player considering his size. He has an intelligent game with good vision."[LNB]PressureOn the areas Bendtner still requires work on, the Frenchman added: "He needs to improve his movement and his finishing. And he will do that."[LNB]Meanwhile, Wenger has confirmed that he will keep faith with Italian shot-stopper Vito Mannone against Blackburn this weekend despite Manuel Almunia being close to full match fitness.[LNB]"Almunia is very close now, he is in full training and he is very close. But Mannone is in goal this weekend," he said.[LNB]"Vito has done very well but I cannot say he has exceeded my expectations because I had never seen him play at that level in a consistent way.[LNB]"You have to accept that as long as the player is not under stress with the pressure to perform, you don't know how he responds. And he has managed that very well."[LNB]
