Ex-Arsenal striker Bendtner handed prison sentence for assaulting taxi driver

Former Arsenal forward Nicklas Bendtner has received a 50-day jail sentence for assaulting a taxi driver in Denmark, according to Reuters.

The Danish international, who now plies his trade with Norwegian outfit Rosenborg, is appealing the ruling from the City Court of Copenhagen, his lawyer says.

According to Joe Shread of Sky Sports, Bendtner was said to have violently attacked a taxi driver in Copenhagen in September, who required surgery to repair a broken jaw. The Danish striker later released a statement apologizing to his club and its fans for the incident, saying he had been "involved in an extremely unfortunate and uncomfortable episode."

Bendtner first joined Arsenal in August 2004 and spent a decade on the Gunners' books. He spent his latter years away from the club on loan, however, joining Sunderland and Juventus on temporary deals. Following his Arsenal tenure, he had unsuccessful stints with Wolfsburg and Nottingham Forest before joining Rosenborg in 2017.

Tove Moe Dyrhaug, the Norwegian side's chief executive, says his club will retain the 30-year-old's services despite the sentencing.

"We think that it's not good for the club and not good for Nicklas, but he remains a player in the club. We are keeping him," he said, per Reuters.