Tottenham Hotspur's former Gunner David Bentley
Wenger surprised by Bentley troubles
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By Nick Teale
Arsène Wenger is surprised by the problems David Bentley has endured since joining Tottenham.
The former Arsenal midfielder arrived at White Hart Lane from Blackburn in July 2008 but he has struggled to make an impact. His dramatic goal in the North London derby last season was his only one in the Premier League for 2008/09. This season he has only made one appearance in the top-flight.
Wenger says he doesn't understand why this is the case as the Arsenal manager thought Bentley played well at Emirates Stadium last year.
"On the day he played well," said the Frenchman. "Then he disappeared slowly last year when Harry Redknapp came in basically.
"It's very difficult for me to speak about that because I don't really know what has happened."
Wenger also refused to add to media speculation that the Tottenham manager may be unimpressed with Bentley's attitude.
"I had a very young Bentley, he was not completely in our first-team squad before he left here.
"But he was always a guy who had belief in his ability. It was always one of his strengths."
There was much hype around Bentley when he first emerged at Arsenal. One suggestion put to Wenger was that this added extra pressure as it came too early in the midfielder's career.
"In England it is always too early, you have always a high level of expectation. We had Walcott, now Wilshere, Ramsey; we have to deal with that.
"I believe that Bentley has responded well when he went to Blackburn because he made a very good career there and was a very influential player."
[Friday, October 30, 2009]
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