Nicklas Bendtner has lifted the lid on why he did not live up to his potential at Arsenal, suggesting he needed stronger input from former manager Arsene Wenger.
Bendtner emerged from the Gunners' academy in 2005 and spent nine years with the first team, scoring 45 goals in 171 games.
But the Danish striker was a largely peripheral figure under Wenger's management and was loaned to Birmingham, Sunderland and Juventus before leaving permanently for Wolfsburg in 2014.
The 32-year-old - now a free agent - believes a different management style may have helped him develop into a better player, though he maintains he has "tremendous respect" for Wenger.
Asked if Wenger could have been stricter to keep him focussed on football, Bendtner told The Guardian : “It’s difficult because he could not take the time to just focus on one person.
"I think if I had a strong figure in my background that could have made the difference. But Arsene and I had a good relationship and I have tremendous respect for him.
"I don’t blame him for anything. He was always honest and he understands there are things I did that I’m not proud of.”
Why did Bendtner fail to live up to his potential at Arsenal? Have your say here.
Bendtner previously recalled a furious X-rated phone call with Wenger after the Frenchman blocked his move to Crystal Palace in 2013.
But the former Wolfsburg and Rosenborg star admits he only has himself to blame for losing his interest in football and focussing on the lifestyle accompanying it.
He added: “I had dreams and hopes and I could have done more. There’s definitely some regret I didn’t take my career in a more positive way.
"Looking back definitely [made] me upset because there are moments which were very hurtful and difficult to talk about.
“I became too fond of the lifestyle that came with the money. I want to go back in time and hit that young lad on the head with a hammer.
"Make him understand what a chance it is. That he has something special – something he has to look after.”
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