Arsenal skipper Mikel Arteta hails Nicklas Bendtner

SKIPPER Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal need players like misfit Nicklas Bendtner if they are to win a first title in nine years.

HOT GUN: Bendtner\s performance against Hull is proof enough for Arteta that he is fully committed to Arsenal [ACTION IMAGES/ALAN WALTER]

Shock selection Bendtner scored his first league goal for the Gunners in three years as they beat Hull 2-0 on Wednesday.

It kept Arsene Wenger’s men four points clear at the top of the Premier League.

The Gunners boss refused to say whether the 25-year-old Dane – out of contract next summer – would be offered a new deal.

But Spanish midfielder Arteta reckons the striker has his part to play.

He said: “That’s what we want – players who are in the squad that can contribute and help the team to be successful.

“Everybody is important. We’re going to need everybody if we’re going to achieve something. I think it’s a good thing.

“He is an Arsenal player and while he is here, he will give 100 per cent. He will not be thinking or doing anything different.”

“He is an Arsenal player and while he is here, he will give 100 per cent”

Mikel Arteta

Looking ahead to Sunday’s visit of his former club Everton – fourth after winning at champions Manchester United – Arteta added: “They’re having a great season and they’ve got great results against top teams.
“It was a big result at Old Trafford on Wednesday, it was massively important for them and will boost their confidence.

“We’re going to face a really difficult team for sure. I know Roberto Martinez well and he’s the type of manager who wants his players to play good football. Hopefully it can be an exciting game.
“In the transfer window they did really well and improved the team. They deserve to be up there.”