David Bentley has admitted that he was a ‘prick’ for leaving Arsenal in an interview in this month’s FourFourTwo magazine.

The 31-year-old, who stopped playing three years ago before announcing his retirement, left Arsenal because he was too impatient.

Behind the likes of Dennis Bergkamp, Bentley believed that he should have been playing in the team on a more regular basis and when that didn’t come his way, he wanted out.

The journeyman, who ended up in Russia near the end of his playing days, was asked if he ever made Arsene Wenger laugh. After throwing in a little dig at the current squad, he reveals exactly what he thinks about his own decision to leave the club.

Blackburn Rovers' English midfielder David Bentley warms up during their English FA Cup fifth round football match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in London, England on February 16, 2013. Blackburn won 1-0. AFP PHOTO/GLYN KIRK
Blackburn Rovers’ English midfielder David Bentley warms up during their English FA Cup fifth round football match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in London, England on February 16, 2013. Blackburn won 1-0. AFP PHOTO/GLYN KIRK

“I loved Arsene Wenger.

“He’s probably the best manager I ever came across.

“The dressing room at Arsenal was fantastic – a great laugh. I bet they miss that now.

“The manager wasn’t really the type to join in, although he probably laughed when I told him I was leaving: “Why do you want to leave here, you prick?!” But I just couldn’t wait to play.

“I didn’t stay [at Arsenal] that long [he an Arsenal player for nine years, and around the first team for three].

“I left, and some probably thought I was mad.

“I felt that if I stayed at Arsenal, I could end up as nothing.

“I feared for my future. I’m, sure there are youngsters at clubs today with the same fears.”

The poster boy for how to waste your career, Bentley is now in the beach club and restaurant business.

Good job he didn’t stay at Arsenal and end up as ‘nothing’ in football, eh?