This season has proved to be a bit of a rollercoaster for Arsenal Football Club with more lows than highs for us fans. We have seen the club put in some special performances against the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea but have then been disappointed to say the least with some tragic displays of “football” against Fulham and Manchester City. Along with the on-field problems we have had to bear witness to the off-field struggle that has gripped the boardroom. Arsenal FC has become a billionaire’s tug-of-war between Stan Kroenke and Alisher Usmanov and nobody outside of the boardroom knows who owns what shares. Amongst all this, the fans have notably expressed their concerns and occasionally their disgust at some of the individual players’ performances and none more so than Mr Bendtner.

Nicklas joined Arsenal in 2004 as a hot-prospect and started making waves in the youth and later reserve teams for his lethal finishing. He was then sent out on loan for the 2006/2007 season to championship outfit Birmingham City where he, again, did relatively well considering he had a few injury niggles. On his return to The Gunners, he appeared to be brimming with confidence and this did not go un-noticed by the Arsenal playing/coaching staff, with Arsene Wenger stating that the young-Dane would get his chance to show what he can do.

Therefore the Carling Cup side beckoned for Nicklas and he himself felt that his role at Arsenal should be slightly more important regarding first team matters. Confidence is also clearly not an issue with the Dane as on numerous occasions he has come out and said he feels he should be in the team ahead of other players and it is well publicised that he and Adebayor are not the best of friends.

However, all this aside, Bendtner has something about him which is clear to me and that is that he has talent. At the start of the season I was not his biggest fan and I am still waiting to be convinced that he is a starter ahead of the likes of RVP, Eduardo and Adebayor, but last night’s performance goes a long way in telling me that he CAN do it at Arsenal. He is never going to be a livewire like Theo, a magician like Bergkamp or a poacher like Wrighty but it is up to Arsene to use his 6’4” frame to our advantage.

Nicklas needs to focus on what he is best at and that’s being in the box using his presence to give Arsenal another physical element and bag the goals we lack when Adebayor is not in the side. It is very easy to forget that he is only 21 which means he has time on his side and, with nobody knowing how long Adebayor will be at Arsenal for, Nicklas should sit tight and earn the reputation of being a super-sub and convince us fans that he is worth the wait.

A tally of 12 Goals in all competitions so far this season is not bad and that’s what Nicklas must keep doing in order to force his way into the first team XI. If anything he could learn a thing or two from previous Arsenal “talents” who have expressed their desire to play more football. Many a young prodigy has come through the ranks and been convinced they’ve got it before they have - players like David Bentley and Jeremie Aliadiere spring to mind.

So with a brace against West Brom last night, in my eyes Nicklas Bendtner did himself no harm and I am starting to look at the more promising aspects of this young Gunner’s career rather than the pink boot wearing Jack-the-lad that the papers like to portray him as. Let’s just hope he proves us wrong.

(Ed’s note – Apologies to James, but I have to tag this on somewhere… for those that sent comments in on the Arsenal TV Online experience of the Arsenal v Fulham matchday package made free to all last Saturday, the winner of a six month subscription is Simon (sorry, no surname, but uses an AOL email account and will be getting an email to confirm before the day’s out). To find out more about Arsenal TV Online, which costs £3.99 per month and features content exclusive to ATVO see here.)