Bendtner’s dig at ‘soft’ Arsenal training

The Danish striker who failed to establish himself as a regular first-team player for the Gunners spent last season on loan at Sunderland, where he stated his desire to leave the Emirates on a permanent basis.

However, whilst the 24-year-old was linked with several clubs in the summer, he only managed to secure a season-long loan to Juventus, where he has made just one appearance so far.

In what may have been an attempt to further distance himself from the North Londoners, he spoke of the Italians’ training regime, saying:

“At Juventus, the training has been different to - and much harder than - anything I've done before. My form is at a peak. I'm much sharper. Without playing, I'm down to fighting weight and that's never happened before.”

His comments, whilst just as likely to have been observational, could be construed by Gunners’ fans as a dig at Arsene Wenger’s approach to fitness and training. He continued,

“When you come to a new club, you have to learn about things. In seven games, they have won six and drawn one, so it's fine.”

One thing’s for sure, the Dane certainly has a lot to learn about diplomacy. He has garnered a reputation for being a little too self-confident - the once self-proclaimed “best striker in the world” has, over his career, done perhaps too much talking off the pitch.

Former Juve midfielder legend Alessio Tacchinardi is not yet convinced by the 6ft5” forwards talent. He told reporters:

“I will not say Bendtner is a bad player but he does not help improve Juventus, either.”

Bendtner could yet prove his doubters wrong, but there are those who would advise him to put his money where his mouth is, especially having demanded £50,000 a week in wages, rationalizing,

“I deserve £50,000-a-week because my job stops me from going skiing.”

A slippery slope, indeed.