Arsene Wenger doesn’t make too many mistakes in the transfer market – if he’s not moulding tomorrow’s stars from unknowns, he’s letting big names go before anyone else knew they were past their best.
But, the bitter jeers that greeted David Bentley’s return to North London during Arsenal’s game against Blackburn last night suggest that he’s a player that may have slipped under Wenger’s radar.
Bentley has been inspiring for Blackburn this season after making just one Premier League start for the Gooners during five years at the club. And 54% of Pies readers edged him ahead of David Beckham in our recent poll to find England’s best right midfielder.
Wenger has admitted that Bentley has grown to become a ‘great player’ and cited Dennis Bergkamp’s presence at the club as the reason to let him go. But with the non-flying Dutchman gone and Robin Van Persie consistently injured – was Wenger right to let Bentley leave?