Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner will repay the confidence shown in him by boss Arsene Wenger by shouldering the goalscoring burden of a title challenge. The Gunners' 2-0 win over Sunderland at Emirates Stadium lifted Wenger's side to within two points of second-placed Manchester United and kept alive their hopes of challenging for the crown.
Bendtner was on target in the 27th minute, his second since returning from ankle surgery, which ruled him out for three months.
Wenger had remained patient and waited for Bendtner's return, rather than purchasing a striker in the transfer window.
Bendtner told the London Evening Standard: "That faith is very important and all I have to do now is show him he made the right choice.
"I am sure he has and I have to show that on the pitch. I have been ready to carry the fans' hopes for some time - it is nothing new to me.
"It has been very frustrating because I set myself a target at the start of the season. Obviously, because of my injury it has been really difficult to make that target.
"It is nice to be back scoring again and I need to score two goals in all the remaining games to reach that."
Arsenal now have 11 games left to over turn Chelsea's six-point advantage at the top of the division and claim their first title since their unbeaten run in the 2003/04 season.
He added: "Last season, United didn't win against any of the big four and they won the league, so it shows anything can happen."
