Wenger backs under-fire Gunners striker (From Haringey Independent)

Wenger backs under-fire Gunners striker

5:28pm Friday 12th December 2008 in

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By Joe Johnson

ARSENE Wenger has given his full backing to Gunners striker Nicklas Bendtner amid claims that the Dane could be on his way out of Arsenal in January.

Reports have suggested that Wenger may be looking to offload the forward, with West Brom understood to be waiting in the wings, but the Frenchman has denied the claims and insists the youngster's dip in form is merely down to the high expectations he sets himself.

He told the Club's website: “I believe that at this moment he puts a lot of pressure on himself and he does not play with enough freedom, “I am sure he works harder than ever in training and that will come good but at the moment he does not get rewarded for the kind of pressure he puts into his training.”

The 20-year-old, who has taken to wearing pink boots of late, is likely to find himself on the bench on Saturday with the return of Adebayor.

Meanwhile, the Gunners boss also conceded that Emanuel Eboue is still suffering after being booed by the Arsenal fans during the victory over Wigan last week, but is pleased he has taken the first steps on the road to recovery.

"The players have done the biggest part of the job because they supported him very well," said Wenger.

"We want to show that the best way to help him, the Club and the fans is to win our games. You always say that we care about the Club and the only way to show that is to do well for the Club.

"Certainly he has shown that he doesn’t bear any grudge and he wants to restore relations with the crowd and I find that fantastic. That doesn’t mean that internally he will not suffer."