Having not been given a decent crack at the Arsenal first XI, Bentley is back in north London with a vengence
Even before making his Gunners bow, Bentley had already carved out a flourishing reputation in the Arsenal youth sides, with many comparing his range of tricks, flicks and eye for the spectacular to a young Dennis Bergkamp.
The early signs were promising and his debut goal– a chipped effort against Oxford United in the FA Cup - was certainly Bergkamp-esque.
With opportunities limited, he opted to move out on loan in search of competitive action, spending 2004/05 as one of the brighter lights of Norwich's year long Premiership stay, before moving to Blackburn on another year long loan for 2005/06.
So succesful was his first few months at Ewood Park, that Mark Hughes moved quickly to make the deal permanent in January 2006. Bentley repaid Hughes' faith by scoring a hattrick against Manchester United in the first match since the deal was sealed.
His form and goals from Rovers’ right flank were rewarded with a call-up to the England side and he is now regarded by many as the natural successor to David Beckham for his country.
With Rovers missing out on a European place, Bentley handed in a transfer request in June 2008, but despite Spurs seeming to be the only interested party, it was still well over a month before the Peterbrough-born midfielder's return to north London was completed.