Bendtner fitness holds key to striker deal

By Richard Clarke

The fitness of Nicklas Bendtner will determine how hard Arsène Wenger pushes to sign a striker in the January window.

The Arsenal manager has been talking of adding another forward for some time but admits he is far from concluding any deal at the moment.

One factor that has confused the picture is that, despite the absence of Robin van Persie, Bendtner and, at times, Eduardo, Wenger's in-form team have scored goals in abundance.

They have caught up seven points on leaders Chelsea during December and will be breathing down their necks if they beat Bolton on Wednesday night.

Two days after that, Bendtner returns to the Training Ground for further examination on his groin problem.

The Danish striker's last game for Arsenal was against Tottenham on October 31 and, in the intervening time, he has undergone surgery for a hernia.

He is expected to be back before the end of January but, should there be a significant delay, the manager knows he must move into the market.

Wenger says a deal is "50:50" right now but if a "bargain" came up he still might take one more addition.

"It depends on Bendtner and how bad [his injury] is," said the manager.

"He is being treated now and will come back on Friday for tests then we will assess the situation.

"The real test will be in the next two weeks, with the projection with Bendtner. If he is out for two months, there is no way - we will need someone absolutely. We cannot have one [striker].

"We are looking anyway and if we find a good bargain then, despite that, we will still do it. 

"But there is still a 50-50 chance that we will sign somebody."