Nicklas Bendtner Became Arsenal's First Hero Of 2014 With Late Goal Against Cardiff City (VIDEO)

Nicklas Bendtner has already had an eventful 2014. The often-out-of-favor (but always overconfident) Arsenal striker scored a breakthrough goal and picked up an injury after coming on as a reserve on New Year's Day.

With the Gunners struggling to score against Cardiff City on Wednesday at the Emirates, the 25-year-old Danish international became the unlikely hero by powering a rebound into the roof of the net after David Marshall saved a header from Bacary Sagna in the 88th minute. After scoring the opening goal of the match, Bendtner injured his ankle as he attempted to step over Marshall. He went down in pain even as his teammates mobbed him near the end line.

Theo Walcott would add a second goal for Arsenal as they again went top of the Premier League table with a 2-0 win. After the match, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hailed Bendtner's effort but revealed he could be sidelined for weeks.

"But unfortunately, he got injured today and it looks like it is not a question of days but weeks with a sprained ankle," Wenger said, via Goal.com. "And I’m very sad for us, but especially for him as well."