Nicklas Bendtner is ready to fire Arsenal to the Premier League title.
The 22-year-old striker scored his fourth goal of the season in Saturday's 2-0 win over Sunderland as the Gunners moved within two points of second‑placed Manchester United.
Bendtner was out for nearly three months after ankle surgery but with Robin van Persie sidelined with a similar problem until April, he is set to lead the line as Arsenal chase silverware at home and abroad.
Manager Arsene Wenger opted not to sign a striker last month because of Bendtner's impending return and the Dane said: "That faith is very important and all I have to do now is show him he made the right choice.
"I am sure he has and I have to show that on the pitch. I have been ready to carry the fans' hopes for some time — it is nothing new to me.
"It has been very frustrating because I set myself a target at the start of the season. Obviously, because of my injury it has been really difficult to make that target. It is nice to be back scoring again and I need to score two goals in all the remaining games to reach that."
Arsenal have been pointless against Chelsea and United this term but Bendtner added: "Last season, United didn't win against any of the big four and they won the league, so it shows anything can happen."
Theo Walcott is another Arsenal player with a point to prove after coming back from injury and the winger has targeted England's friendly with Egypt on 3 March as a potential return to international football.
The 20-year-old has not represented his country since England's 6-0 win over Andorra last June but showed signs of finding his form against Sunderland with Fabio Capello watching on from the stands.
"I am starting to get there now — I just need to get that final ball sorted," said Walcott.
"The first thing is to stay fit now. That's the main target and, hopefully, with the international match coming up, that will give us some sort of idea of the World Cup squad.
"Hopefully, I will be in that friendly but first I am concentrating on Stoke on Saturday."
Wenger thinks that match could make or break Arsenal's title challenge.
He said: "We have to turn up at Stoke with full belief or the dream will be shattered."
