Nicklas Bendtner Comments on Arsenal Ahead of EFL Cup Tie with Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest striker Nicklas Bendtner has said he would celebrate if he were to score against former club Arsenal when they visit in the EFL Cup on Tuesday, but he has vowed he "won't be causing chaos." 

Per the Telegraph's John Percy, he said: "If I score against Arsenal I will celebrate, but I promise I won't be causing chaos." 

Bendtner joined Forest earlier this month as a free agent after having his contract with Wolfsburg terminated and has made two substitute appearances for them thus far.

Per Goal's Jon Fisher, he is eagerly anticipating the match: 

"

I'm really looking forward to a great match in a sold-out stadium. I'm sure there's going to be a great atmosphere. It'll be a tough game against a strong Arsenal side but we are very confident.

[...]

I have a lot of love and respect for Arsenal as a club.

We are underdogs tomorrow and we have to be at our best to stand a chance. But we are ready and we know anything can happen.

"

The Dane enjoyed a bright start to his Arsenal career, bagging 36 goals in his first three full seasons with them during his youth but tailed off as he struggled to make an impact and became known more for his outlandish quotes and off-field controversies than for his performances on the pitch.

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

After loan spells at Sunderland and Juventus failed to rejuvenate him, he eventually left Arsenal to join Wolfsburg on a free transfer in 2014. He scored nine goals in two seasons and was let go in April from a contract that ran until June next year.

According to the Mirror's James Nursey, Bendtner still has affection for his old club: "I hope Arsenal win the Premier League. I always wanted to play at Highbury because when I was a young boy I liked the club. I knew they had the new stadium so there was a short window to try to play there and it happened. That was a dream come true."

The 28-year-old will have the chance to prove a point against them on Tuesday as he seeks to kick-start his stalling career. Tom Evans of the Liverpool Echo is expecting him to put in a strong performance on Tuesday:

Bendtner has certainly never lacked confidence, as the Mirror's John Cross revealed:

In 2009, Bendtner sensationally stated his aim was to be among the world's best strikers. According to Percy, the forward reflected on the quotes, which brought scepticism from some quarters and made him a figure of fun in others:

"

I actually don’t regret saying I want to be the best striker in the world because that’s what everyone wants. It’s just that no one wants to say it.

[...]

I was very young and I might have said it too early, before I had proven I was in that category or could get in that category. So, I don’t regret saying it because it was obviously a general feeling that I wanted to be.

But yeah, it has haunted me. The way it was written I thought: Did you really say that? I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being ambitious. That’s why I said it.

"

His ambition now is to reboot his career and win some silverware before he retires, which he hopes will be as long as a decade from now.

The Denmark international appears to be committed to his aim—how he fares throughout the season and the effort he puts in will show if he is or not.

Even if he harbours no ill will against his former employers, Arsenal's visit will undoubtedly give him added motivation, and it would hardly be surprising if he were to get on the scoresheet against the Gunners.

Whatever happens on Tuesday, though, it will be the weeks and months that follow that will determine how successful he is in reigniting his career and if he can finally go some way to reaching the potential he showed in his youth.