Arsenal Transfer News: Why Nicklas Bendtner's Loan Was Inevitable

The departures of former captain Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri may have sent shock waves throughout Emirates, but the loan of forward Nicklas Bendtner should have been expected.

When Bendtner first joined the Gunners in 2008, manager Arsene Wenger instantly became fond of the scrappy 18-year-old who quickly developed a reputation as a solid striker with the passing awareness and heading ability that made him an aerial threat.

But despite his skills, Bendtner has always had an odd lack of focus, something you wouldn't expect from a player of his caliber on the pitch. It's also not made him one of the most popular players in the game, including to the since-departed Emmanuel Adebayor, who Bendtner accused of headbutting him in 2009 after a defeat to Tottenham.

He's also been known to hang out in nightclubs after defeats to Manchester United and crash cars on his way to training.

In short, Bendtner was always a distraction, on the practice field and off the pitch, and it's not surprising that he would be let go for the year given all that Wenger has had to deal with this year alone.

With his latest loan to Sunderland, the 23-year-old has been forewarned that he's not in Wenger's plans anymore. In exchange, he'll reunite with Sunderland boss Steve Bruce, who worked with him at Birmingham.

Said Bruce, via ESPN:

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''I've had the privilege of working with Nicklas previously. I had him as an 18 year-old and he helped clinch promotion for Birmingham.

''He's an outstanding talent and is a big, physical presence who will lead the line magnificently for us.''

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Perhaps Bendtner will be more focused under Bruce's wing. Then again, Wenger once had a lot of confidence in him, and look what Bendtner made of that.