Wenger with dilemma as Bendtner is ruled out until November
Published:Nicklas Bendtner has suffered a fresh injury setback and will join Robin Van Persie on the sidelines, leaving Arsene Wenger very short of options as Arsenal look to continue their excellent start to the season.
The news that Bendtner could be out of action until November after aggravating his groin injury follows the Dutch FA’s admission yesterday that Van Persie could be out for several weeks with a ankle injury.
Summer signing Marouane Chamakh and Carlos Vela are the only recognised strikers but Wenger will be buoyed by Theo Walcott’s impressive start with the winger managing four goals in the first three games.
However, Chamakh is yet to find the net and Arsenal fans will be reliant on Cesc Fabregas, Andrei Arshavin and Theo Walcott to get the goals needed for a strong start to the season as they look to end their trophy drought – they are 9/2 to win the Premier League.
Despite only making 18 league starts last season, Van Persie was still one of Arsenal’s top scorers with 10 goals and Bendtner was Arsenal’s second highest goal scorer with 12 goals in 32 appearances.
Fabregas topped Arsenal’s scoring charts with 19 whilst Arshavin also contributed 12, but the lack of a central striker may worry Gooner fans that they will be too reliant on goals coming from midfield.
Arsenal are 1/3 to finish in the top four but with face stronger competition this year from Manchester City, Tottenham and Liverpool in the race for a Champions League spot.
Van Persie could be out for 2-4 weeks but is 14/1 to be the Premier League top scorer. See the latest Barclays Premier League betting markets here.
