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Bendtner frustrated by party image

Nicklas Bendtner believes it is imperative to get playing time ahead of the 2016 European Championships © Getty Images

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Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner has told Jyllands-Posten his search for a new club has been complicated by perceptions of his lifestyle, saying: "People think I'm a psychopath."

Bendtner, 26, has been back with Arsenal this season after having spent the previous two campaigns on loan at Sunderland and Juventus but has been unable to secure regular first-team opportunities.

Bendtner, who said in November that he was disappointed not to have moved on, feels his attempts to make a permanent switch have been difficult as he believes he has been portrayed unfairly.

"The image that people have about me is that I'm all about partying - that I'm indifferent to football - and it's as far from reality as could possibly be," Bendtner told Jyllands-Posten.

"I have, for example, talked to clubs who say they have heard things about me, so I have to say that none of them are true. The perception of me is never going to be positive if clubs talk to people who have a negative view."

Referring to an incident when he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol, Bendtner said: "Of all the things said about me, I've only done one thing wrong. That was in Copenhagen."

In a separate interview with Ekstra Bladet, Bendtner said he had not had the playing time he expected at the Emirates this season and needed a transfer to ensure he remained in the Denmark side for the Euro 2016 qualification campaign.

Asked if he would stay at Arsenal, he said: "That's not the plan. The intention is that I will try something else. I'm open to playing in any country. The most important thing is that I get to play. It's essential I get regular playing time.

"I know what the conditions are for representing the national team. If I want to keep my place and be part of the team for the European Championship, I must be playing for my club. Therefore, the decision I make this summer will be very important to me."

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