England

Arsene Wenger Confused Over David Bentley's Loss Of Form

Expectations sometimes too high in the British Isles says La Professeur...

Oct 31, 2009 7:55:54 AM

Midfield battle: Manchester United's Michael Carrick goes shoulder-to-shoulder with David Bentley of Tottenham Hotspur (PA)

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is unable to explain former Gunner and current Tottenham winger David Bentley's downfall upon joining the north-Londoners.

Bentley's lone goal for Spurs came against Wenger's men in last year's north London derby and he but has since struggled to make an impact at White Hart Lane.

Speaking with the club's official site, Wenger re-lived Bentley's bright note against the Gunners last season: "On the day he played well," began Wenger, "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 defended Bentley after reports questioned his former player's attitude - suggesting that complacency might have gotten the better of him.

"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."

"In England it is always too early, you have always a high level of expectation. We had Walcott, now [Jack] Wilshere, [Aaron] 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."

Daniel Phan, Goal.com UK