Nicklas Bendtner explains the furious confrontation with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry
NICKLAS BENDTNER has lifted the lid on a furious row he had with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.
Bendtner, 36, was a youth player in the Gunners set-up at the time.
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The Dane recalled how the incident arose when he was called up for an error in the training match, after Henry had been spared criticism moments earlier for the same error.
In conversation with Buitenspel, via Tribal footballhe said: “Thierry and I were playing in each of our teams in an 11 versus 11, and he made a mistake.
“It was overlooked by the coach and I then made the same mistake, which was then called.
“And in the meantime I started shouting a bit and saying that it wasn’t quite fair.
‘It didn’t go quite smoothly.
“There were some expletives shouted and so on, with Henry then walking across the pitch and just standing there shouting in my head.
“And I kind of yelled back while the others were standing and said, ‘Nicklas, you just need to be quiet and that’s now.’
“I learned a little bit there.”
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Henry would leave Arsenal for Barcelona in 2007, the year Bendtner made his own leap into the first team following a transfer to Birmingham the year before.
Bendtner made 171 appearances under legendary boss Arsene Wenger, scoring 47 goals and adding 22 assists.
He retired in 2020 and has undergone a stunning body transformation.
But the French ace wasn’t the only former teammate he fell out with. He famously feuded with Emmanuel Adebayor, whom he called a “strange fish.”
Bendtner recalled in his 2020 book: “New rules apply when I return from a loan season at Birmingham City.
“It’s like taking off your outdoor shoes before you go inside. That’s one of them Emmanuel Adebayor it’s really there.
‘I got a locker straight away next one to him because I was given shirt number 26, while he plays with 25 on his back.
“The man from Togo, with his long, thin braids, is a strange fish who takes some things more seriously than all the others combined.
“When he’s messing around with himself it’s a whole different story. One morning he puts on my workout clothes and puts his own gear in my place.
“When I discover this, he whispers to me, shaking his head, ‘Then you should just use mine, Nicklas. It’s too late to change now.’
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“’Nicklas’, ‘Nicklas’, always with ‘Nicklas’. He uses my name like he’s talking to a little child, and it stirs something in me.
“Maybe it’s a culture clash; the Africans usually stick together. On the other hand, I get along quite well with Emmanuel Eboue and Kolo Toure. Only Adebayor I can’t stand.”
After a 2008 League Cup semi-final against Tottenham, he added: “Tottenham again, in the Carling Cup semi-final.
“After a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Emirates, we are 4-0 down. Arsène Wenger sends on Eduardo and Adebayor.
“On the way past me, Adebayor shouts that it’s my fault that he has to come on and waste his energy: ‘I’m here because you’re playing like ***.’
“It’s not exactly encouraging, and shortly afterwards, when we win a corner, we both look for the back post. There’s a lot of pushing and shoving, and suddenly we’re fighting each other.
It’s not exactly encouraging, and shortly afterwards, as we win a corner, we both head for the back post. There’s a lot of pushing and shoving, and suddenly we’re fighting each other.
Nicklas Bendtner on Adebayor
“We push back and forth while the Tottenham players look on in amazement. Afterwards, Adebayor claims I gave him the finger, but I can’t remember.
“What I do remember is that he stuck his head out. That’s the problem with him. He behaves illogically. Completely unpredictable.
“I don’t know if it’s completely intentional, but it feels like a headbutt right on the bridge of my nose. Blood gushes out and my nose swells. As if he isn’t big enough already.
“William Gallas runs towards us and pulls us apart. But Adebayor isn’t done with me yet. He must be led away while the referee is present books it.
“When the final whistle blows, our arch-rivals have won 5-1. It’s our biggest derby defeat in forever and no one in the team can stomach that.
“Of course I blame Adebayor personally, which is probably an exaggeration.
“But I really want to get hold of him for a quiet tête-à-tête, and I think the feeling is mutual because one of the coaching staff has to stop him in the players’ tunnel.
“When we finally collide in the Dressing room, we have many things to say to each other. Things that I would no longer be able to express twelve years later.
‘Neither of us holds back, and that has consequences. The boss is fining us both with two weeks’ wages.’
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