The Sweeper: Bendtner nine pounds overweight for Crystal Palace medical

The Denmark international was close to joining Ian Holloway's side in the summer but required an extensive conditioning programme to get him in shape for the season

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Nicklas Bendtner's deadline-day move to Crystal Palace collapsed after Arsenal failed in a last-ditch bid to sign Demba Ba on loan from Chelsea.

Palace wanted to reunite Bendtner with his former team-mate, Marouane Chamakh, even though a medical revealed that the Dane was nine pounds overweight.

The Sweeper understands that the newly promoted Premier League club were preparing to place the Gunners forward, who scored twice for Denmark against Italy on Friday, on an eight-week conditioning programme to get him primed for the campaign.

With Olivier Giroud the only senior striker at the Emirates Stadium, Bendtner has been given a chance to resurrect his Arsenal career but he is only expected to get a maximum of a one-season stay of execution.