David Bentley was handed his first professional contract by Arsenal but ended up leaving the club in 2006 because he ‘didn’t trust’ Arsene Wenger, a decision he now regrets in hindsight
David Bentley confesses he should have stayed at Arsenal but departed because he lacked faith in Arsene Wenger’s vision. The Englishman went on to thrive at Blackburn Rovers before joining the Gunners’ bitter rivals, Tottenham.
Bentley joined Arsenal aged 13, and whilst he began life as a striker, he gradually retreated into midfield positions. He penned his first professional contract at 16 in 2001 and made his senior debut under Wenger two years later.
Following a loan stint with Norwich City, his prospects at Highbury appeared grim. During the summer of 2005, Bentley handed in a transfer request and secured a permanent switch to Blackburn in January 2006 after a temporary loan spell there.
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Despite shining at Blackburn and ultimately securing a £15million transfer to Tottenham in 2008, where his career would falter, he acknowledges he probably should have stuck with the Gunners for longer but simply lacked confidence in Wenger.
“When we were playing, you were under much more pressure than players are nowadays. Much more pressure,” began Bentley, appearing on Undr The Cosh podcast.
“Because, if you found yourself out the team, you were criticised more than you are now. Now, you’re a squad player. Just having a rest, not in the squad today.
“[I left Arsenal because] I wanted to play. I signed a five-year deal and left after six months! Wenger was like, ‘No, do this.’ He had a plan, didn’t he? But I couldn’t see that plan. Didn’t trust it.
“Potentially, I could have stayed; I should have stayed. Remember, I saw the young lads come through, Cesc. I made my debut with Fabregas – my full debut.
“Absolutely unbelievable performance from him. We beat Wolves 5-1 at Highbury. He dominated the game at 15 years old. I was only like 17. Eighteen months older, or two years older than him.”
Bentley left Highbury in 2006 and quickly made his mark at Blackburn, netting a hat-trick against Manchester United in his first match after signing permanently, reports Football London.
His contributions helped Blackburn in their UEFA Cup campaign that season, and he was honoured as the club’s Player of the Year by fans in 2007 amidst rumours of a move to the Red Devils.
In 2008, Bentley did complete a transfer, but to Tottenham, where he scored an unforgettable first league goal: a 43-yard volley in a thrilling 4-4 draw with his former team Arsenal. Bentley’s time at Spurs was not fruitful, however, leading to a series of loan spells, including a stint at Russian outfit FC Rostov.
The midfielder also played for Birmingham City and West Ham, and after a brief return to Blackburn in 2013, he was released by Tottenham that June. By the following year, at just 29, Bentley retired from professional football, unable to secure a new club.
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