"?Nicklas Bendtner says he's still 'haunted' by the claim he once made of becoming the world's best striker, as he prepares to face former club Arsenal in the EFL Cup.
"?The now-Nottingham Forest player told the Daily Mirror that he was ready to make the most of the rest of his career after failing to live up to his potential.
And, ahead of his return to the club that gave him his footballing breakthrough, Bendtner opened up about the bold statement that he made during the formative years of his footballing career.
He said: "I actually don't regret saying I want to be the best striker in the world, because that's what everyone wants. It's just that no one wants to say it. It has haunted me. I was very young and I might have said it too early, before I'd proved I was in that category "? or could get in that category.''
Arsenal reject Nicklas Bendtner admits being haunted by THAT claim he planned to become the world's best striker https://t.co/yAqSBMzhlG
Bendtner continued: "But I'm here now and I want to reboot, and get back to just playing. I pictured my career going in a different way, but it didn't. There are many goals I have set myself over the years. Many things I have said and been killed for.''
Bendtner concluded: "So I'm going to make the best out of the rest of my career and do the best I can."?
Bendtner joined Wolfsburg after being released on a free transfer by Arsenal in August 2014, before joining Nottingham Forest on September 7 after being let go by the Bundesliga club in April. Off-the-field problems, along with multiple injuries, resulted in manager Arsene Wenger calling time on his nine-year Gunners career.
On the eve of his return to his former stomping ground, the 28-year-old Bendtner insists he harbours no grudge against the Londoners - and was glad to play at both of Arsenal's home stadiums during his spell with the club.
He added: "I hope Arsenal win the Premier League. I always wanted to play at Highbury because when I was a young boy I liked the club. I knew they had the new stadium so there was a short window to try to play there and it happened. That was a dream come true."?
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