• Premier League

Bendtner off the scale in confidence test

ESPNsoccernet staff
February 5, 2011
Nicklas Bendtner is not short on confidence © PA Photos
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Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner has scored highly in 'self-perceived competence' after the Gunners' sport psychologist Jacques Crevoisier revealed that the Dane's mark was off the scale.

Bendtner has made several comments in the media over the years highlighting his belief in himself and many have suggested that his confidence borders on arrogance. However, Arsenal use psychological tests to determine their players' mental abilities in relation to their footballing qualities and the striker is certainly not lacking in one area.

"One of the categories is called 'self perceived competence,' i.e. how good the player himself thinks he is,'' Crevoisier told Swedish magazine Offside. ''On a scale up to 9, Bendtner got 10! We have never seen that before. Pat Rice [Arsenal's assistant manager] was sitting next to me and couldn't stop laughing.

"When Bendtner misses a chance, he is always genuinely convinced that it wasn't his fault. You might say that's a problem, and to a certain degree it can be. But you can also view it as this guy has a remarkable ability to come back after set-backs."

The test is made-up of 117 questions designed to test players' self-belief, concentration levels and determination and is overseen by Crevoisier, who specialises in working with young French players at France's Clairefontaine academy as well as the Gunners' stars.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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