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Arsenal striker Bendtner expects derby start today

Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner expects to start today against Tottenham.

Bendtner says Gunners manager Arsene Wenger understands how impatient he is to get back in the team and why he has considered quitting.

The Dane told The Sun: "Me and the manager talk a lot. All the players can chat to him about how we feel.

"He knows all footballers want to play and I'm the same. He realises I'm frustrated.

"I don't want to be just a substitute against Spurs. It's a big game, they have improved a lot under Harry Redknapp and I want to be out there playing and scoring goals against them.

"I realise that if you have a long-term injury, as I did, you've got to prove that you are ready to take your place back.

"You can't just come back in the team straightaway. But I've fought really hard and been involved in every game since I came back and I would have liked to have been involved more.

"I've been helping the club to win as a sub and playing occasionally but I want to be the guy in the team who makes sure we win the things."

Bendtner says if he did quit Arsenal it would be with a heavy heart.

He joined as a raw teenager and the club has become part of his life.

Bendtner said: "Completely honestly I have something special for Arsenal. I came over here when I was just 16.

"Some people say they have a relationship with a club when they don't have one but I do. Part of me will always be Arsenal. But even though I have a special feeling for the club, and that's the truth, the ambition I have is I need to play football."

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