Wenger: I rated Bentley

Arsene Wenger has admitted that a series of circumstances led to David Bentley leaving Arsenal for Blackburn and confessed that Bentley has the abilities to play at the top level as Blackburn take on the Gunners on Monday night.

"Bentley is having a good development in his career and I am very happy for him," said the Arsenal manager.

"I let him go at a moment where I could have said 'no, you stay here' - but I was also conscious there were big players in front of him and he was not experienced enough.

"You have to consider is it fair to them not to let them go, even if it hurts you later.

"I knew there would be some stage where people said 'why did you let him go?' I am then happy someone asks me that question because it means he has been a success elsewhere."

"He would play here now, whether he would be a regular or not, I don't know, but he has the quality."