Arsenal youngster David Bentley joined Norwich on a season-long loan on June 3rd 2004.

Peterborough born but raised in Cheshunt, Bentley progressed through the youth and reserve team ranks at Highbury, making his debut in Arsenal's 2003/4 Carling Cup campaign when a young Gunners' side reached the semi-finals. He also made one Premiership appearance, had one outing in the European Champions League and came on as substitute in three FA Cup games scoring against Middlesbrough in the fourth round. Captain of the England Under-18 side, he made his England Under-21 debut against Holland in February where he scored a stunning goal.

Bentley's signing was a real coup for Nigel Worthington who beat off competition from the likes of Bolton Wanderers, Birmingham City, West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United to the signature of one of the brightest youngsters in the game. A talent that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger describes as being, technically, "top, top, top". Wenger is a fan of the season-long loan to help develop young talents who are too good for the reserves but not likely to gain first team football. "The biggest difficulty I have in the club is when players get to 18 and you have to manage them between 19 and 22. Do you get him out on loan or put him in the squad? Do you put him in the first team straight way? It is very difficult," said Wenger. "If he is in the squad and he practices with me then it is because I believe he has the talent," added the Arsenal chief. "But at the same time I would like to get him some experience. He is a great talent and he needs to play now. At 19-years-old you are always impatient. It is normal."

Bentley made his competitive debut for Norwich on August 14th 2004 in the 1-1 Premiership draw with Crystal Palace and scored his first competitive goal against Newcastle on August 25th 2004. He finished the season with 28 appearances and two goals.

Bentley returned to Arsenal at the end of May 2005 but Nigel Worthington expressed an interest in bringing him back to Carrow Road on another loan deal if Arsenal were interested. Crystal Palace also exressed a similar interest. David was played on the transfer-list at the beginning of the 2005/6 season and was quickly linked with a £1million transfer to Glenn Hoddle's Wolves. Crystal Palace were reumoured to be preparing a bid but on 31st August 2005, David joined Blackburn Rovers on loan until the end of the 2005/6 season.

David made his switch to Ewood Park permanent on 31st January 2006 for an undisclosed fee. He celebrated by scoring a hat-trick the following day for Blackburn as they beat Manchester United 4-3.

In January 2007, the Daily Mirror speculated that Manchester United would swoop for Bentley if their efforts to sign Bayern Munich's Owen Hargreaves fail. Bentley's form led to a call-up for the England B squad clash with Albania on 25th May 2007 where his impressive form in the3-1 victory led to a call-up to the England full squad for the friendly against Brazil and the UEFA2008 qualifier against Estonia.

In June 2007, Bentley was called up to the England Under-21 squad for the European Under-21 Championships in Holland. However, he pulled out of the squad citing fatigue, and England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce questioned the midfielder's commitment to the national squad. This withdrawal led to Bentley being excluded in the senior England squad for the friendly against Germany, but he was selected for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Russia. He made his senior début when he came on as a substitute for Shaun Wright-Phillips against Israel

On 16th December 2007, the Observer reported that Spanish giants Valencia and Athletico Madrid were seeking to lure Bentley away from Ewood Park.

Bentley was included in Fabio Capello's first squad as England manager for the February 2008 clash with Switzerland and was included in the starting line-up, playing all 90 minutes as England won 2-1.

On 9th March 2008, The People claimed that "Chelsea are set to make a £10m summer swoop for Blackburn winger David Bentley". Two weeks later, The People claimed that Bentley was a target for Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez who is willing to pay £12m for the England star - and incude former Arsenal bad boy Jermaine Pennant in any deal. Manchester City and Valencia are also keen but their poor league positions have ruled them out as Bentley realises he needs to play for a top team if he is to be David Beckham's regular replacement in the England team.

In June 2008, it was speculated that Bentley might be a target for new Manchester City boss Mark Hughes who was previously at Blackburn. The News of the World on 8th June 2008 speculated that Bentley was one of four English-based players that Jose Mourinho would attempt to sign for Inter Milan. Subsequent reports linked him with a return to London with Spurs and also that he was a target for Aston Villa once they had sold Gareth Barry to Liverpool

On 31st July 2008, David signed for Tottenham in a deal initially worth £15m with an additional £2million payable dependent upon on future performances. He signed a six year contract and said "It means the world to join Tottenham. Gazza was my favourite player, all my mates are Tottenham fans and there's a piece of my heart at this club. I didn't think they would be interested in me and when it became available there was nowhere else I wanted to go." It is believed that there was a sell-on clause in the deal that took Bentley to Blackburn and that Arsenal received around £4.5m from Bentley's return to North London.

Playing History

Club	Season	League		Cup		Europe		Total
		Appearances	Goals	Appearances	Goals	Appearances	Goals	Appearances	Goals
Arsenal	2002/03	1	0	1	0	0	0	2	0
	2003/04	1	0	6	1	1	0	8	1
Norwich	2004/5	26	2	2	0	0	0	28	2
Blackburn (loan)	2005/6	14	0	6	2	0	0	20	2
Blackburn	2005/6	15	3	0	0	0	0	15	3
	2006/7	36	4	7	0	8	3	51	7
	2007/8	37	6	4	1	5	1	48	8
Tottenham	2008/9

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