David Bentley (DB):<\/strong> \u201cI think he\u2019s a very good player \u2013 he\u2019s strong, gets up and down, plus has had a good platform at Brighton to play. He\u2019s technically gifted and I think he\u2019ll slot into Arsenal – however, it\u2019s a lot of money to spend.<\/p>\nWhether Arsenal should have upped their bid, I\u2019m not sure \u2013 it\u2019s a lot of money, but he\u2019s a good player and Arsenal have built a great side at the moment and have a top team spirit and the danger is that they\u2019ve made mistakes in the past where they\u2019ve spent big money on players in the past and it\u2019s not quite worked.<\/p>\n
So, I still think there\u2019s a certain element of a gamble there with Caicedo and I think they will be alright having not signed him and still think they will win the league without him.<\/p>\n
And overall it was right not to go for him at this stage<\/p>\n
Q: Should Arsenal still go for Caicedo in the summer?<\/strong><\/p>\nDB:<\/strong> Yeah, it\u2019s a lot of money, but if they are interested now then there\u2019s every chance they will go back in again in the summer for Caicedo and potentially they\u2019ve done the right thing by not committing in January with that level of investment \u2013 you don\u2019t know how the player will react or how it\u2019s going to upset the camp.<\/p>\nThe way Arsenal set up at the minute, they\u2019ve got a winning mentality and it\u2019s the first time that you tune into watch them that they work as a unit, with individual talent and Arteta has approached it in the right way with support at the club.<\/p>\n
I watched the recent Amazon documentary they did and thought it was great, which showcased that Arteta has a unique and different way of approaching the game and the players have all bought into that.<\/p>\n
And I think Arteta has to protect that with the players you bring in and that he doesn\u2019t upset that \u2013 you\u2019ve seen it happen at other clubs that bring certain players in that don\u2019t fit the mould. \nEspecially with what\u2019s happening at Liverpool and City, it\u2019s all set up for Arsenal to win the league, so you don\u2019t want to upset that.<\/p>\n
Because they\u2019ve built something really good at the minute at Arsenal.<\/p>\n
Q: Is Partey staying fit till the end of the season a crucial factor for Arsenal to win the title?<\/strong><\/p>\nDB:<\/strong> Yes, that position in the Premier League or at any level is key \u2013 you can see Casemiro and United do a similar job.<\/p>\nPartey is for Arsenal that rock within the team that allows the back four to feel comfortable and allows the players in front of him to express themselves, so Partey keeping fit will enhance their chances of winning the league. \nHe\u2019s done really well \u2013 every time you watch Arsenal he\u2019s that rock within that midfield and I think he\u2019s been exceptional this season.<\/p>\n
He gives the more expressive players \u2013 like Saka and Martinelli \u2013 the chance to play and with Partey they\u2019ve got the right balance with hard work, working as a team but also have them solid players that can get their foot in sacrifice themselves for the team.<\/p>\n
Q: Was Jorginho a good deal for Arsenal?<\/strong><\/p>\nDB:<\/strong> Yes, I think it is \u2013 it\u2019s good business. In the current climate you are bringing a player into the dressing room that is a \u2018winner\u2019, but at \u00a312m in the modern world I think is a bargain.<\/p>\nI think in-and-around the dressing room he\u2019s got good standards from what I hear and as a player he\u2019s professional and I think Jorginho will be a good addition \u2013 and isn\u2019t bad at penalties either!<\/p>\n
He\u2019s got confidence, skill \u2013 he\u2019s a winner and can slot into Arsenal\u2019s way of playing.<\/p>\n
Q: Will Jorginho & Trossard deals propel Arsenal to the title?<\/strong><\/p>\nDB:<\/strong> Yes, you can see from his opening game \u2013 I think it was at Man City \u2013 that Trossard is a player that goes for it, who was attacking and positive. He seems like he\u2019s slotted in really well and is technically gifted, who works hard.<\/p>\nI feel that the set up at Arsenal and those behind the scene that they are making the right decisions at the right time. After making a few years of bad choices on certain players, it seems they\u2019ve sorted themselves out, so overall I think Trossard is another good signing.<\/p>\n
Q: It\u2019s rumoured Arsenal are lining up for a winger, suggestions Calum Hudson Odoi is a target. Do you think he could turn his career around at Arsenal?<\/strong><\/p>\nDB:<\/strong> Again, it depends the level they would be going in for him at \u2013 if they are going in at a good price then yes \u2013 the player has talent, he\u2019s young and if he can slot into the Arsenal way and environment then he\u2019s certainly a player that could be a great fit for them.<\/p>\nHe\u2019s very talented but maybe just found himself in a difficult position at Chelsea with a lot of players coming in and different managers, which sometimes is not a great environment for a young player to be developing in.<\/p>\n
If he can settle down at a club like Arsenal, with the full support of the club, then he\u2019s certainly a player \u2013 if they can get him at the right price \u2013 then he could end up being a great buy for Arsenal.<\/p>\n
Q: Folarin Balogun, currently Ligue 1\u2019s top goal scorer, do you think he\u2019ll have a big impact for Arsenal next season and if not Should Arsenal cash in on him? With a \u00a350m price tag being touted.<\/strong><\/p>\nDB:<\/strong> I think Arsenal will probably hold onto Balgun and potentially bringing him back in the summer. I think at Arsenal at the moment, they\u2019ve sorted themselves out and it\u2019s a great club that when I started by career there it had the good balance between the youth team and great set-up and are all in it together, plus have all bought into the same way of playing.<\/p>\nSo, I really do feel the short-term future of Arsenal is really positive at the moment \u2013 and all these players can easily slot back in and find a nice environment to be able to express themselves on.<\/p>\n
Q: Will Arteta leave a legacy as big as Arsene Wenger at Arsenal?<\/strong><\/p>\nDB:<\/strong> I Think what he\u2019s doing is creating a great team and finding the right players and creating the right environment \u2013 while everything he says you can see he\u2019s obsessed with every aspect of the football club, and I\u2019ve been really impressed with him.<\/p>\nHe\u2019s got a good personality about him and has that passion and desire to win. I think he sets his teams up well and gets the best of the players and has unique ways of doing it.<\/p>\n
Like I said, when I watched that documentary, I was really impressed and I\u2019d imagine as a player you\u2019d get the buzz to want to play for Arteta with his funny ways of doing things and the players have bought into that and created a winning mentality.<\/p>\n
Every manager that\u2019s trying to set something up will always go through those difficult few months or a year or two before they get their way of playing and I think Arteta has certainly done that.<\/p>\n
And is looking like he\u2019s going to win the league.<\/p>\n
I 100% feel that if Arsenal do win the league, then Arteta can build a legacy like Wenger did. I thought when I was there they are always going to be a club that has the right model and principles and if there is ever a club that you can build a legacy, then it\u2019s Arsenal and with Arteta it could be a perfect relationship because his passion and desire to win, plus if the club continue to support him.<\/p>\n
You can already see the players reacting and responding to his messages \u2013 the future looks bright for Arsenal.<\/p>\n
Q: Should Arsenal spend \u00a372m to get Rice in the summer?<\/strong><\/p>\nDB:<\/strong> Great player, great personality that gets round the pitch, who is a leader. But you don\u2019t want to buy too similar players and as I said before, don\u2019t want to upset things too much \u2013 especially as they\u2019ve got a good balance in the team.<\/p>\nSo, based on that you can be careful who you buy.<\/p>\n
I think West Ham will be looking to cash-in and so I think they are going to sell him. Do Arsenal buy him? Again, it\u2019s a lot of money, but what Declan\u2019s shown from week-in-week out in the Premier League and also at international level is that he\u2019ll slot into any side and be a great buy for any team as he\u2019s another that will sacrifice himself for the team and is always at least a 7 or 8 out of 10 whichever game he plays in.<\/p>\n
Q: Is Saka a future Balon D\u2019Or winner?<\/strong><\/p>\nDB:<\/strong> Saka certainly has the potential to be a future Balon D\u2019 Or winner. He\u2019s got the environment and the platform to do this.<\/p>\nHe\u2019s so deceptive \u2013 he\u2019s a great player that deals with issues on and off the pitch very well. Saka is producing at the highest level, so there is nothing stopping him being a future Balon D\u2019Or winner \u2013 why not?<\/p>\n
If Arsenal are playing in the Champions League next season and they are doing well then, he\u2019s got more than a chance to of achieving that and being a Balon D\u2019 Or winner.<\/p>\n
Q: What\u2019s your score prediction for Arsenal v Man City next week?<\/strong><\/p>\nDB:<\/strong> Arsenal will win it!<\/p>\nMan City at the minute \u2013 I\u2019m not sure what\u2019s going on, but they seem to have problems. You know, Phil Foden not playing, Kevin De Bruyne sitting on the bench in some games, the other lad (Cancelo) that\u2019s gone to Bayern Munich so there is stuff coming out of Man City at the moment.<\/p>\n
You also got the financial regulation issues that are surfacing this week, so I don\u2019t know what\u2019s going on, but I watched them last night (vs Spurs) and Tottenham turning them over, they just look a shadow of their former selves.<\/p>\n
I think Erling Haaland has come in but that has changed the dynamics of the team and the way they operate. Even though he\u2019s come in and he\u2019s a goal threat I just feel City are not as potent as they used to be or decisive in their forward play. I think you can open them up more now at the back.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a good time to be playing City, for Arsenal and I think they way Arsenal have set up this season with a great balance of youth and experience, then going up against this Man City team now will mean they will win.<\/p>\n
Man City became very \u2018robotic\u2019 in their approach to playing \u2013 for a long time they were playing without a recognised centre forward and so with Haaland coming in and I wouldn\u2019t say he\u2019s one of the best players in the world in terms of build-up play and linking in with the other players.<\/p>\n
You look at the difference between him and Harry Kane, he doesn\u2019t link the play very well and the other players have had to adapt and even though he\u2019s scored all those goals I think when it comes to the crucial moments and playing against the bigger teams I don\u2019t think he\u2019s helping.<\/p>\n
City look slightly disconnected and yes, there is also going to be games against the lesser sides where they win 6-0 and Haaland scored 4, but it\u2019s slightly misleading and there is more going on behind the scenes and that are also impacting what\u2019s going being reflected on the pitch.<\/p>\n
Having that target number 9, a lot of the City players are not used to it, but maybe it might take more time. With such a good coach they can find a way to adapt to this different style, but trying to adapt right now is key and that will be the hardest thing that will stop City winning the league.<\/p>\n
Q: Do you think Spurs will make top 4 this season?<\/strong><\/p>\nDB:<\/strong> I think if they play the way they did yesterday against City \u2013 then yes. \nThey were pressing high and have the players to do that. Conte wasn\u2019t at the game against City \u2013 so not sure what that says, but they were all over City, pressing and giving them no time on the ball.<\/p>\nI think Spurs are a team that ned to pressurize high up the field and need less possession of the ball, but can break off well and at times they did that against City better than they have done in recent weeks. If they keep doing that, they\u2019ve got the ability to finish in the top four.<\/p>\n
But it will be difficult for them, as they\u2019ve given away ground earlier in the season that they shouldn\u2019t have done because they didn\u2019t start the games very well.<\/p>\n
Q: Will Conte still be at Spurs if they don\u2019t reach top 4 this season?<\/strong><\/p>\nDB:<\/strong> No.<\/p>\nI think he\u2019ll go \u2013 yes, especially if Spurs don\u2019t make top four. He seems the complete opposite to Arteta and Conte has followed the line during his career that he\u2019s around 2-3 years at any football club and I can\u2019t see that changing at Tottenham.<\/p>\n
Q: Does Hugo Loris need to move on from Spurs?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\nDB:<\/strong> Yes, potentially it could \u2013 he\u2019s another player that you can just read in-between the lines and could be at the stage of his career that he looks for a new challenge. But he\u2019s a legend and what a player he is \u2013 it\u2019s a hard one to call, so we\u2019ll just have to see at the end of the season.<\/p>\nQ: Spurs are in the running to sign France World Cup star striker Marcus Thuram on a free in the summer, would that be bargain of the summer?<\/strong><\/p>\nDB:<\/strong> Yeah, if Spurs can get him for the right money it would be great business \u2013 he\u2019s a good player, scores goals and all different sorts of goals. He\u2019s strong, energetic and fast but depends what sort of level of money.<\/p>\nYes, be a great deal if they can get Thuram in on a free, but I\u2019m sure there will be a lot of takers too that they will be up against. And then it boils down to the wages.<\/p>\n
Q:<\/strong> If Spurs don\u2019t get top 4, should Kane leave in the summer?<\/p>\nWhat an achievement what a player \u2013 obviously I was with him when he was a young lad coming through at the time. He\u2019s a great example to young kids and has the dedication and hard work which has paid off.<\/p>\n
At 18,19, 20 he was on loan but through hard work and to achieve what he has done for Tottenham \u2013 he\u2019s a living legend.<\/p>\n
It will boil down to his own personal goals whether he thinks he can win things and wants to play at the highest level. He\u2019s probably got 4 or 5 years left. If he did leave, I think in the summer I think Real Madrid will be the best fit for Harry Kane.<\/p>\n
A top four finish for Spurs will help for Harry, but he\u2019ll also want to go into that season knowing they\u2019ve got a chance to compete at that level and in the Champions League and not just playing in it.<\/p>\n
Q: Do you think Kane will surpass Shearer\u2019s 260 PL goals?<\/strong><\/p>\nDB:<\/strong> If Kane does stay at Spurs, I think he\u2019ll surpass Shearer\u2019s record \u2013 he\u2019s not going to stop scoring goals. I\u2019d love him to stay at Tottenham.<\/p>\nQ: Kane surpasses Jimmy Greaves as all-time Spurs top goal scorer. Does that cement Kane as the best no.9 Spurs have had?<\/strong><\/p>\nDB:<\/strong> He\u2019s probably one of the greatest number 9\u2019s the Premier League\u2019s ever had!<\/p>\nAnd is certainly the best ever that Spurs have had \u2013 and that\u2019s proven now by breaking the Jimmy Greaves record.<\/p>\n
Q: Dele Alli might have his contract cancelled at Beskitas, what went wrong for him at Spurs?<\/strong><\/p>\nI\u2019ve got a slight connection with Dele as he was with my agency with Rob Segal. He left and I think his bother took over the day-to-day runnings and maybe his personal life hasn\u2019t been managed correctly \u2013 but it\u2019s such a shame as he\u2019s such a talent.<\/p>\n
But I think he had a good game the other day for Beskitas \u2013 I think he scored and put in a man of the match performance, but for a talented player and the age he is it\u2019s a shame it\u2019s just not working out for him.<\/p>\n
If someone can get him right again, he\u2019d be a great asset to any club.<\/p>\n
Q: What was the best brand of Football boot you wore as a player? Nike, Adidas, Puma, Umbro<\/strong><\/p>\nDB:<\/strong> The original Adidas predators \u2013 I remember first putting them on with the big red tongue. They were certainly the best boot I can remember wearing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In an exclusive interview with Bitcoin Casinos, former Tottenham and Arsenal player David Bentley believes Arteta is the right man to build a Wenger-Like legacy at Arsenal. Bentley also thinks that Saka is a future Balon D’Or winner and Jorginho and Trossard were top January buys for the Gunners. If you would like to use … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":68,"featured_media":5319,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[547],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Exclusive David Bentley Interview: Arsenal should splash \u00a3120m for Rice; Thuram bargain of the summer for Spurs; Arsenal should target Chelsea reject; Deli Alli should return to a PL club - Bitcoin Casinos<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n