Arsenal cult hero Nicklas Bendtner recalls the ‘legendary’ contract clause designed only for him

Nicklas Bendtner has revealed how he was forced not to drink alcohol or ski as part of an unusual clause in his FC Copenhagen contract.

The former striker spent the majority of his career at Arsenal, whom he left in 2014 before playing three continental clubs and Nottingham Forest.

Bendtner returned to his home country of Denmark in September 2019 when he signed for FC Copenhagen, an arrival that sent fans into meltdown as his shirts had sold out within a day.

It was certainly a warm welcoming for him but he arrived with somewhat of a maverick reputation, with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry once having to 'put him in his place'.

And in an upcoming documentary titled 'Nicklas Bendtner – The Portrait', he spoke on a clause that Copenhagen included in his contract in an attempt to keep him in line.

As reported by The Daily Star, his agent said: "You must accept that it must be stated in the contract that from now until the New Year you must not drink alcohol and you must not ski and things like that.”

When speaking about his deal, Bendtner said: “I don't think everyone has it in the contract. Damn legendary.”

Bendtner scored just one goal in nine appearances for Copenhagen's senior side although fared better for their reserve team as he netted two goals in four matches.

Just three months after his arrival, the club announced that they would not keep him beyond the end of 2019.

He announced his retirement from football in 2021 following a spell at Tarnby FF, who play in what is now the fifth tier of the Danish football pyramid.

Bendtner signed for Arsenal in 2004, arriving in north London as a talented teenager who was quick to impress in their reserve side.

The striker made his senior debut for the Gunners a year after he joined and made 171 senior appearances in total, scoring 47 goals.

It's clear he is still a big Arsenal fan as he was spotted wearing a retro shirt at the Emirates Stadium in their 3-0 defeat against Brighton last season.

Bendtner's best spell of his career came at Rosenborg in the Norwegian top-flight as he scored 35 goals in 86 appearances in all competitions.