Nicklas Bendtner

The 1st match of 2014 for Arsenal saw them claiming a 2-0 victory over Cardiff City but it came with a bittersweet taste as Nicklas Bendtner picked up and ankle injury that has left him unable to play for his team ever since.

The Danish player has been training with his teammates as he is completing the final stages of his recovery. Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta join the list of injuries that Arsene Wenger has to cope with along with Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud who has been suffering with ankle problems of his own.

“We have just had Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain back, Bendtner back, I hope to have Arteta back next week and Ramsey,” Wenger added. “We also have Yaya Sanogo coming back into the squad next week.”

Arsene Wenger has been trying to snatch up some players in this transfer window but has failed on doing so; he might not have to search around for new arrivals considering some of the players that have been getting back in form. Podolski, Sanogo and Bendtner all are expected to make their return in this week or the next one which gives Wenger a number of options for him to rest Olivier Giroud whenever that may be needed.

The head coach of Arsenal also went out praising Oxlade-Chamberlain.

“He is in advance of where every player of his age is. He is in the national team, a regular player here and he has just been handicapped by a four-month injury but overall he is in a very strong position. Central, yes. It is not some way off. He can play central, it is just always important to find the right balance because around him you need always a more defensive player, but I like his qualities in the middle because he can penetrate and has good power to get out of pressure’’. Wenger explained.