• Premier League

Bendtner pulls out of European Under-21 Championship

ESPN staff
May 12, 2011
Nicklas Bendtner has played a bit-part role for Arsenal this season © PA Photos
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Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner says he will not compete in the European Under-21 Championship this summer as he is keen to spend more time with his family.

The Denmark international, who represented his country at the World Cup finals last summer, was eligible for the competition despite being 23 years of age.

Bendtner has now chosen to make himself unavailable due to personal reasons, but Jack Wilshere will play for England in the competition - a situation that has caused some tension between Arsenal and England.

"Our conversations have given me the chance to explain to [coach Morten Olsen] that my personal situation has changed greatly over the last six months,'' Bendtner said in a statement on the Danish Football Association website.

"If I wanted to get to spend some quality time with my son in his first year, that requires very good planning on my part. Therefore I feel that I have to withdraw from this tournament.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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