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Wenger confirms striker's Cup fitness
Arsenal, Last updated: 11 minutes ago
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Nicklas Bendtner has recovered from an ankle injury and is set to line up in Arsenal's FA Cup fourth-round tie against Coventry City.
Wenger confirms striker's Cup fitness
The Danish striker has been out since spraining his ankle after scoring the late opening goal in the Gunners' 2-0 win against Cardiff City at the Emirates Stadium on New Year's Day.
But boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed that he is now fully fit and is set to start Friday night's home clash against the League One outfit.
"He's been back in the squad since the start of the week and he's available if selected," Wenger said.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could also start the game following his recent return from a long-term knee injury, but midfield trio Mikel Arteta, Tomas Rosicky and Aaron Ramsey remain sidelined with respective calf, broken nose and thigh problems while Yaya Sanogo has not yet overcome a back injury.
Abou Diaby and Theo Walcott are long-term absentees with their respective knee injuries.
Meanwhile, despite his side being well placed in the race for the Premier League title, Wenger is keen on winning the FA Cup this season - almost nine years after their last success in the competition which is also the last time they won any silverware.
He said: "I have been lucky enough to win it four times, but unfortunately we haven't won it for a long time now so in fact I am even more focused to do well in this competition now.
"I would love the club to win the FA Cup again."
The Gunners went out at the hands of Championship side Blackburn last season, so Wenger is not taking Coventry lightly ahead of Friday's televised clash.
The Frenchman added: "We have to prepare seriously for this game, because we are on a good run and it will be really not welcome at all not to take this game seriously.
"Blackburn was the first time in 16 years that we lost against lower league opposition in the FA Cup, so that was a great warning.
"At the moment, this is just our next game and we want to win it."
Arsenal, Last updated: 11 minutes ago
Views: 20
Nicklas Bendtner has recovered from an ankle injury and is set to line up in Arsenal's FA Cup fourth-round tie against Coventry City.
Wenger confirms striker's Cup fitness
The Danish striker has been out since spraining his ankle after scoring the late opening goal in the Gunners' 2-0 win against Cardiff City at the Emirates Stadium on New Year's Day.
But boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed that he is now fully fit and is set to start Friday night's home clash against the League One outfit.
"He's been back in the squad since the start of the week and he's available if selected," Wenger said.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could also start the game following his recent return from a long-term knee injury, but midfield trio Mikel Arteta, Tomas Rosicky and Aaron Ramsey remain sidelined with respective calf, broken nose and thigh problems while Yaya Sanogo has not yet overcome a back injury.
Abou Diaby and Theo Walcott are long-term absentees with their respective knee injuries.
Meanwhile, despite his side being well placed in the race for the Premier League title, Wenger is keen on winning the FA Cup this season - almost nine years after their last success in the competition which is also the last time they won any silverware.
He said: "I have been lucky enough to win it four times, but unfortunately we haven't won it for a long time now so in fact I am even more focused to do well in this competition now.
"I would love the club to win the FA Cup again."
The Gunners went out at the hands of Championship side Blackburn last season, so Wenger is not taking Coventry lightly ahead of Friday's televised clash.
The Frenchman added: "We have to prepare seriously for this game, because we are on a good run and it will be really not welcome at all not to take this game seriously.
"Blackburn was the first time in 16 years that we lost against lower league opposition in the FA Cup, so that was a great warning.
"At the moment, this is just our next game and we want to win it."
