Nicklas Bendtner has a moment to forget in Europa League as Arsenal cult hero provides remarkable assist for Zenit opponent Emiliano Rigoni

  • Nicklas Bendtner now plies his trade in Norway with champions Rosenborg
  • He is in good form but endured a moment to forget in recent Europa League tie
  • Bendtner's side were 2-0 down when he set up Emiliano Rigoni with back-pass
  • Rigoni scored his hat-trick and Bentdner was left to rue his inexplicable error

Nicklas Bendtner is remembered fondly in north London, but not always for the right reasons... and the ex-Arsenal forward has been back in the headlines this week. 

Now plying his trade at Rosenborg, the Dane is still making memories - but he had a moment to forget in the Europa League on Thursday night.

The 29-year-old started in an away tie against Zenit St Petersburg, but with his side 2-0 down things got worse when Bendtner provided an assist for the third goal.

Nicklas Bendtner (bottom) attempts to play a back-pass, but it goes embarrassingly wrong

Nicklas Bendtner (bottom) attempts to play a back-pass, but it goes embarrassingly wrong

Instead of finding the goalkeeper, Bendtner's pass ends up in the path of Emiliano Rigoni

Instead of finding the goalkeeper, Bendtner's pass ends up in the path of Emiliano Rigoni

Rigoni then slotted the ball in for his hat-trick, ensuring Zenit St Petersburg won with ease

Rigoni then slotted the ball in for his hat-trick, ensuring Zenit St Petersburg won with ease

Instead of helping his side get back into the match, a simple pass to his goalkeeper was intercepted by Emiliano Rigoni, and the Zenit midfielder finished off to secure his hat-trick and a 3-0 lead.


The Norwegian side went on to pull one goal back, but Bendtner will surely be disappointed with his contribution.

Since arriving at Rosenborg in the summer, following a spell at Nottingham Forest, Bendtner has netted 16 goals in 32 appearances, earning himself a new nickname.

Striker Bentdner has been in impressive form this season, but Thursday was a night to forget

Striker Bentdner has been in impressive form this season, but Thursday was a night to forget

Zenit manager Roberto Mancini chose not to celebrate the goal, put on a plate by Bendtner

Zenit manager Roberto Mancini chose not to celebrate the goal, put on a plate by Bendtner

The 29-year-old Danish striker is fondly remembered in north London after his spell at Arsenal

The 29-year-old Danish striker is fondly remembered in north London after his spell at Arsenal

He was known fondly as 'Lord Bendtner' by many during his time in England, specifically at the Emirates, but that was upgraded when he arrived in Scandinavia.

Reports at the time noted that Rosenborg's dressing room has a habit of using weird and wonderful nicknames, and that fellow striker Mushaga Bakenga had already taken the 'lord' moniker.

Therefore, Bendtner's new team-mates insisted he would be called 'Emperor', and that has clearly spurred him on to reach new levels on the pitch.   

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