Nicklas Bendtner adds another dimension to Arsenal's pacey counter-attacking style.
Nicklas Bendtner adds another dimension to Arsenal's pacey counter-attacking style.

Stage is set for Bendtner in Portugal



Three years ago, Arsene Wenger welcomed Nicklas Bendtner back from a loan spell at Birmingham and predicted a bright future for the big striker. "I would love to be 19 years-old and have his quality," said the Arsenal manager. "For me he has everything in his locker that needs to be in there." Strong, quick and resourceful, Bendtner had similar characteristics to the club's leading frontman Emmanuel Adebayor. It was why Wenger did not dwell on the sale of Adebayor to Manchester City last summer. Nor did the Frenchman fret when he was criticised for not signing a striker in the transfer window last month.

His reluctance was largely factored by Bendtner's impending return from a groin injury and the belief that, now 22, this was the time for the Dane to fulfil his manager's great expectations. Tonight at the Estadio do Dragao, he will get the chance to take centre stage and prove he deserves more than the bit-part substitute role that has often frustrated him, and to appease the supporters who have yet to be convinced.

With Andriy Arshavin and Robin van Persie on the sidelines through injury and Eduardo just back after his own fitness problems, the focus will be on Bendtner to lead the line against Porto in the first leg of their last 16 tie. His last European appearance in September saw him score in a 3-2 victory at Standard Liege and he said: "We have different types of strikers who can do different things, and I think the team has missed a type like me."

Bendtner's ability to hold the ball was evident in their vital 1-0 Premier League win against Liverpool. He unsettles defenders and that direct approach will give his side greater options against Porto, the champions in 2004. The hosts will also have their own hulking figure back to help them. Givanildo Vieira de Souza, known more commonly as the Hulk, is still serving a six-month domestic suspension following an attack on two stewards at the end of a defeat to Benfica.

But despite the lack of regular competitive action, he has been unleashed in the Champions League and three goals in six games highlight his threat. Wenger said: "Hulk is a powerful boy. He has tremendous pace and power so we will want to keep him quiet. A clean sheet will do, but we are team who will not hide. We want to play." Defensively, Wenger will be without William Gallas who has a back problem, along with Alex Song and keeper Manuel Almunia. It means Sol Campbell will partner Thomas Vermaelen for a first Champions League appearance since the final in 2006 when he scored in the 2-1 defeat to Barcelona.

That might encourage Porto, but their coach, Jesualdo Ferreira, is prepared for a difficult encounter. Beaten by Manchester United and Chelsea at home in their last two contests against English teams, he is wary. "Arsenal are the English team that can trouble us most. When they are on form, they play a game that is hard to overcome," said Ferreira. @Email:akhan@thenational.ae Porto v Arsenal, 11.45pm, Aljazeera Sport+3

Game Changer

Director: Shankar 

Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram

Rating: 2/5

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3EName%3A%20Tabby%3Cbr%3EFounded%3A%20August%202019%3B%20platform%20went%20live%20in%20February%202020%3Cbr%3EFounder%2FCEO%3A%20Hosam%20Arab%2C%20co-founder%3A%20Daniil%20Barkalov%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Payments%3Cbr%3ESize%3A%2040-50%20employees%3Cbr%3EStage%3A%20Series%20A%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Arbor%20Ventures%2C%20Mubadala%20Capital%2C%20Wamda%20Capital%2C%20STV%2C%20Raed%20Ventures%2C%20Global%20Founders%20Capital%2C%20JIMCO%2C%20Global%20Ventures%2C%20Venture%20Souq%2C%20Outliers%20VC%2C%20MSA%20Capital%2C%20HOF%20and%20AB%20Accelerator.%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE LIGHT

Director: Tom Tykwer

Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger

Rating: 3/5

COMPANY PROFILE

Company: Bidzi

● Started: 2024

● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid

● Based: Dubai, UAE

● Industry: M&A

● Funding size: Bootstrapped

● No of employees: Nine

The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Vidaamuyarchi

Director: Magizh Thirumeni

Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra

Rating: 4/5

 

RESULTS

5pm: Maiden | Dh80,000 |  1,600m
Winner: AF Al Moreeb, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)

5.30pm: Handicap |  Dh80,000 |  1,600m
Winner: AF Makerah, Adrie de Vries, Ernst Oertel

6pm: Handicap |  Dh80,000 |  2,200m
Winner: Hazeme, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle

6.30pm: Handicap |  Dh85,000 |  2,200m
Winner: AF Yatroq, Brett Doyle, Ernst Oertel

7pm: Shadwell Farm for Private Owners Handicap |  Dh70,000 |  2,200m
Winner: Nawwaf KB, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi

7.30pm: Handicap (TB) |  Dh100,000 |  1,600m
Winner: Treasured Times, Bernardo Pinheiro, Rashed Bouresly