Nicklas Bendtner Hits Out at Arsenal for 'Wasting a Year' of his Career

Nicklas Bendtner has hit out at Arsene Wenger and Arsenal for wasting a year of his career in what was his final season at the club last term.

Denmark international Bendtner brought an end to his nine-year affiliation with the Gunners in the summer to join Bundesliga side Wolfsburg after his contract in north London was not extended.

The Dane's questionable performances on the pitch and frequent controversies off it saw Wenger allow him to leave the club on loan, firstly to join Sunderland during the 2011/12 season before Juventus came calling a year later.

Although Bendtner failed to score a single goal during his time in Italy, he insists the Bianconeri would have made his loan move a permanent one, only for the Gunners to order him to return to the club.

In an interview with Bild, he said: "I was loaned to Juve. It went well there. I played regularly and I was fit. We were champions. I wanted to stay but Arsenal took me back. I barely played. I wasted a year there. That annoys me the most."

Bendtner, 26, also moved to explain claims he envisioned himself playing for Real Madrid or Barcelona in an interview in his homeland last November. The striker was quoted as saying he was keen to leave the Gunners in order to secure more first-team football opportunities, before name-dropping the La Liga giants as possible destinations.

"That's not true," he said. "The quote comes from a reputable Danish newspaper. I said that as a child I dreamed to play for Real or Barcelona. English newspapers made of it: 'Bendtner will sign for Madrid or Barcelona in the next transfer window.'"

Bendtner is likely to line up against Everton on Thursday 18 September as the Europa League group-stage campaign gets underway.

"Each team in England knows that if you play at Everton, it is really hard," he said. "They have a great coach, I like him very much. I look forward to the game."