Once touted as a possible future replacement for Bergkamp, Bentley had few opportunities to show his skills for the Arsenal first team. He's good, no question, but he never did quite enough to justify playing him ahead of the likes of Pires, Bergkamp, Freddie, and Reyes. Still, it's a shame he'll be leaving, especially now he's had his hair cut. He's bound to come back and haunt us once or twice with a cracking goal.

He had a decent season last year (when fit) on loan to Norwich. But he'll be hoping for a move to a Premiership club. West Ham are said to be interested.

Those Arsenal fans who rue the lack of English Gunners these days will be particularly sad to see him go, but perhaps buoyed by the fact that Bentley's development being allowed to accelerate a bit will be good news for England. He'll probably go to the Irons, become a full England player, then get sold to Chelski or Tottenham. Oh well.

The good news is, I've finally managed to get "Bentley" "gun" and "let him have it" into a headline.