Talented young striker Nicklas Bendtner has been confirmed to miss the start of the new season due to the groin injury he suffered during the World Cup. The 22-year-old Denmark international underwent surgery to rectify the problem in November.

He started all three of Denmark's games at the World Cup in South Africa but is still hampered by the injury.

" Nicklas Bendtner will not be available for the start of the season," stated Wenger. "We don't know [how bad it is]."

Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner is a major doubt for the new season it was revealed.

Nicklas Bendtner believes that the long-standing injury, which he claims dogged him throughout the World Cup, is a result of the car accident he experienced last September.

“I still feel quite bad in my groin. Sadly it hasn’t been better during my holiday, like I expected it to giving it nothing but rest. And that worries me a lot," the Dane told The Daily Mirror.

"I had hoped, and counted on, that a total break from football and training would heal the injury, but it hasn’t happened.

"I have spoken to Arsenal throughout the holiday and I am having to do a big scan when I return this week.

Arsenal have already released details of their Away kit (which is yellow and maroon), but the new Arsenal Kit remains an enigma.

That doesn't stop you from being able to buy it though - at Red Hot Football you can pre-order the shirt, and get them sent straight to your door when it is officially released at theend of August!

If Denmark are to progress at the World Cup in South Africa, striker Nicklas Bendtner could well be key provided that he can put his inconsistent form to one side and fulfill his undoubted abilities.

Not that the versatile 22-year-old Arsenal hitman, whose 1.93m standing offers him a serious aerial ability, believes he has anything to prove.

"I do not believe I'm over-confident," he told the Daily Mail newspaper recently.

"I believe I have the confidence I need in my ability. And if you ask me I am going to tell you straight.

"If you ask me if I am one of the best strikers in the world, I say yes because I believe it.

"When I see that other strikers score a lot of goals, I realise I need to score those goals. But I think everything else in my game is right. Even if I believe I can still improve. But the goals are the last thing I need to add and when I do I believe I will be the player I want to be. One of the best."

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Nicklas Bendtner believes he can prove he is one of the best strikers in the world next season.

The Arsenal forward is known for his unwavering self-belief and has been in fine form to back up his assurance in his ability with nine goals in his last 12 appearances. He probably even puts an online sports bet on himself to score!

And the Danish international insists he can kick on next season and become one of the leading goalscorers in Europe.

"I do not believe I'm over-confident," he told the Daily Mail. "I believe I have the confidence I need in my ability. And if you ask me I am going to tell you straight.

"If you ask me if I am one of the best strikers in the world, I say yes because I believe it. When I see that other strikers score a lot of goals, I realise I need to score those goals. But I think everything else in my game is right.

"Even if I believe I can still improve. But the goals are the last thing I need to add and when I do I believe I will be the player I want to be. One of the best.

Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner is buoyed by his late goal that ensured a 2-1 victory against Hull City and kept the Gunners title dreams alive.

Andrey Arshavin had opened the scoring in the 15th minute at the KC Stadium, but a penalty from Jimmy Bullard levelled matters. George Boateng earned himself an early shower prior to half-time, when a foul on Bacary Sagna waranted a second yellow card.

The Tigers held on in the second period, and despite manager Phil Brown getting his charges to soak up the pressure for long periods, the hosts' defence was finally breached during added time as the Dane snatched the winner.

"The goal felt really good," Bendtner said, according to the News of the World. It took a while in coming, it was really tense. We had a lot of the ball but we didn't do anything with it, so it was very important that we got the goal. I think all the goals you score are important - especially today [Saturday] when it was 1-1. I'm happy for the team."

The Gunners' gaffer Arsene Wenger classified the goal as one of the "defining moments" of the season for his side, in their chase for the Premier League title.

Nicklas Bendtner sent Arsenal into the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup as Arsene Wenger's kids showed Liverpool the strength they have in reserve with a 2-1 win.

Fran Merida, who is out of contract in the summer, opened the scoring for Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium with a spectacular drive before Emiliano Insua levelled with a dipping lob before the break for Liverpool.

Denmark striker Bendtner finished off a sweeping move constructed by Wenger's youngsters just after the interval for the winner in the fourth-round clash.

A report in The Sun suggests that Arsenal forward Nicklas Bendtner has followed his switch to No.52 with a new £2.5 million-per-year deal at the Emirates.

Question marks have always followed the Dane, but many are now expecting more consistency from the 21-year-old following Emmanuel Adebayor's move to Manchester City.

The Gunners certainly seem to have faith in him, if talk of a £50,000-a-week contract proves accurate.

A club insider is quoted as saying, "It is incredible to see the difference in Nicklas.

"He has a great new attitude and the departure of Adebayor seems to have given him a lot more belief in himself."

Bendtner had two years remaining on his contract, with the extension set to see him remain in north London until 2014.

Last season the player hinted at "diamond-encrusted boots" - his new deal could certainly help on that front.

NICKLAS BENDTNER hopes his luck in front of goal will change — now he has dumped his old shirt number.

The Arsenal forward's strike rate last season was less than a goal every three games, so he has swapped his No 26 shirt for No 52 - which he says is a lucky number.

The Denmark hitman, who can delight and frustrate Gunners fans in equal measure, has offered a refund to supporters who have already bought this season's shirt with his old number on it.

He said: "The new season's almost here, and along with the rest of the players I'm really excited and believe it can be a really special one.

"Before it starts I wanted to change my squad number from 26 which I've had for a number of seasons now. I chose to move to 52 because it's a special number to me personally, and I hope that it brings me good luck."

Bendtner, who managed 15 goals in 50 games last term, added: "I appreciate that a good number of fans have bought their 2009/10 kits with names and numbers.

"I'd like to personally cover the cost of replacing anyone's shirt that has my previous number. It means a lot to see supporters wearing your name and number."