Arsenal boss Wenger admits battling to keep Bendtner ego in-check

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits he's had to reign in Nicklas Bendtner's self-confidence.

Bendtner is famous for having an ego the size of Scandinavia even though he has yet to establish himself as a feared marksman.

But having hit a Champions League hat-trick against Porto on Tuesday, he wants more of the same away to Hull today.

Wenger admitted: "It can be a little difficult as he has the confidence that he is the best before he has proven it. I believe a central striker is a special position and you need a special character to play there. He has qualities important in his position.

"He has changed but he is still confident in a more mature way. He is a guy who is open to advice. He can sometimes be completely wrong as he says 'I am the best'.

"But if you say to him that 'you are not the best as you have not done that, that, that' he listens and tries to take advice. It is not a blind self-confidence. It is an open one. That is why I like him and always believed in him.

"What is important for him now is that he is not injured.

"As a top level player when you need to have a good run, it is important to keep playing. If you look at him now and three to four weeks ago, he is a different player. He looked out of shape, heavy running, heavy feet. It is different as he plays more.

"He doesn't know that he is always going to play but he knows that he will get a chance.

"As long as he does well he has a good chance of playing. As well, he has qualities needed in our team."