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Arsenal to fine Bendtner for outburst

LONDON -- Nicklas Bendtner’s turbulent time at Arsenal looks to finally be coming to an end, with Arsene Wenger saying the striker will be fined for his unsanctioned trip to Copenhagen, while hinting that his contract will not be renewed at the end of the season.

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Bendtner, 26, was accused of going “berserk” at a taxi driver on a drunken night out in his native city,” before dropping his trousers and hurling abuse.

The Gunners boss said he could not comment on the striker’s actions as he had not yet spoken to the Denmark international, but revealed he would be disciplined because the club had not given him permission to travel.

“Honestly I don't know really what happened because I haven't spoken to him,” Wenger said. “The only thing that is for sure is he had nothing to do in Copenhagen. Nobody gave him any permission to go to Copenhagen and he will be fined for that. For the rest, he has created some trouble there I don't know, I will speak to him today.”

When asked whether it is the “final straw,” Wenger merely responded: “He is at the end of his contract at the end of the season.”

The incident is the latest in what has been a difficult period at Arsenal for Bendtner, despite his recent complaints that his supposedly unfair reputation was harming his career.

Elsewhere, Wenger said he was not surprised at the news that Robin van Persie wants to stay at Manchester United, despite recent reports that he had met the former Arsenal forward to discuss a return to the Emirates Stadium.

“He wanted so much to go there [United] that the other way [to return] would be surprising,” Wenger said.