Soccer

Nicklas Bendtner apologises after arrest

Arsenal striker held on suspicion of criminal damage at his apartment block

Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner was been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage at his apartment block. Photograph: David Davies/PA Wire
Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner was been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage at his apartment block. Photograph: David Davies/PA Wire
Tue Nov 26 2013 - 11:16

Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner has apologised after being arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage at his luxury apartment block.

The 25-year-old was held by police in Hertfordshire on Monday in connection with damage to an apartment building where he lives in the Bushey area.

Writing on his Instagram account on Tuesday, he explained that he accidentally damaged a door as he tried to force it open after it became stuck.

"On Saturday night after our win against Southampton I went out with my family and friends for dinner," he wrote. "After our dinner we all wanted a night swim in my gym so we changed to shorts and brought towels down.

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“As we arrived at the gym my key fob changed the colour from red (locked) to green (open) but the door remained closed. We thought the door was stuck so we tried to open it and it caused some damage. I apologise for any inconvenience for my neighbours and I have paid in full.

“We had no part in damaging anything else in the building. The matter is closed with the police, and my focus is on tonight’s match.”

Police said Bendtner has been cautioned - meaning he will not be required to attend court.

In a statement, Hertfordshire Police said: “A 25-year-old man from Bushey has been cautioned for criminal damage and is no longer in custody. He was arrested in connection with an incident which occurred at an address in The Avenue, Bushey, in the early hours of November 24th.”

The Denmark international, a bit-part player with the current Premier League leaders, has scored 45 goals for the Gunners in 164 appearances since making his debut for the club in the 2005/06 season. But despite early promise, the misfit striker has struggled to seize his opportunity at Arsenal, being loaned out to a succession of clubs including Sunderland, Birmingham and Serie club Juventus.

In June last year, Bendtner was handed a one-match ban and fined €100,00 by Uefa for lowering his shorts after scoring twice in his country's European Championship defeat to Portugal. He was found guilty of improper conduct for his reaction to his second goal in the 3-2 Group B defeat, when he exposed underwear bearing a bookmaker's logo - with the company picking up the tab for the fine.

A spokesman for Arsenal said: “As a club we do not comment on players’ private matters. However, we do expect the highest standards to be maintained on and off the pitch and will be reminding Nicklas of this.”