I didn't trust Arsene Wenger - Former Arsenal star on why he left Gunners

Former Arsenal midfielder David Bentley has revealed that a lack of trust in Arsène Wenger’s vision was the main reason behind his decision to leave the Gunners, despite later realising he should have stayed longer at the club.

Speaking on the Undr The Cosh podcast, Bentley admitted that while he enjoyed early success after leaving Arsenal, he now believes his impatience and lack of faith cost him the chance to truly succeed at Highbury.

“When we were playing, you were under much more pressure than players are nowadays,” Bentley said.

He added, “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.”

Bentley joined Arsenal’s youth academy at the age of 13, starting as a striker before transitioning into a midfield role.

He signed his first professional contract at just 16 in 2001 and made his senior debut under Wenger two years later.

After a loan spell at Norwich City, his opportunities at Arsenal became limited. In the summer of 2005, Bentley submitted a transfer request and completed a permanent move to Blackburn Rovers in January 2006, following a successful loan spell there.

His time at Blackburn was impressive, earning him a high-profile £15 million move to Tottenham Hotspur in 2008, a transfer that stirred controversy among Arsenal supporters.