Blackburn's Bentley won't hear the jeers

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This was Bentley's first return to Arsenal since becoming a full England international and another significant step on his personal road to redemption.

Those Gooners who pay close attention to these things recall his departure from the club, grumbling about the lack of first-team opportunities and sounding a little bitter.

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So when Blackburn supporters stood to cheer him as he made his way to the corner flag to deliver another set piece, the home fans booed him. Then they cheered when he miscued an ambitious volley from 20 yards and skewed it wide.

True, it was a bit half-hearted. It wasn't of Ashley Cole proportions. But here was Bentley polarising opinion again. He has a knack for it.

Just over four years ago, he was scoring his first goal in senior football for Arsenal at Highbury. It was a delicious chip against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup and it had everyone talking about England's very own Dennis Bergkamp.

The quick appreciation, invention and execution inspired the comparison and the crowd inserted his name into their favourite Bergkamp song.

Bentley's game is still decorated with little flashes copied from the Bergkamp repertoire during his days in the Arsenal camp. He joined the club at the age of 12 and was invited to train with Arsene Wenger's first team at 16.

Technique has never been an issue for a player born in Peterborough, brought up in Hertfordshire and who made his debut for the Gunners at 18.

On Monday night, his cross of St George boots initialised DB — something else he shares with Becks — produced some sublime touches and his usual precision delivery from open play and dead-ball situations.

Steven Reid missed the target from a beautiful Bentley centre early in the game and a flick with the outside of the foot released Brett Emerton down the right in the build-up to another chance, this time squandered by Benni McCarthy. Despite quiet periods out on the right, he stepped forward to extend Jens Lehmann with a smart free-kick in the second half.

Wenger spoke before Monday night's game about Bentley's progress since making his move to Ewood Park permanent two years ago. The Arsenal boss admitted he had been proud to see him in Fabio Capello's England squad and rued his decision not to insist in a first option buy-back clause in the details of the transfer.

He also insisted Bentley's best position will eventually be as a second striker, the Bergkamp role. This could be Wenger's way of questioning his workrate and defensive discipline on the flank of a four-man midfield.

Even after cutting loose from north London, he cannot escape comparisons. When he broke into the England team, it was in place of Beckham. As he pulled on the No 7 shirt at Wembley last week he was no longer the next Bergkamp, just the next Beckham.

Like Becks, perhaps Bentley's greatest quality — ahead of his dead ball mastery — will prove to be his attitude. Behind the veneer is a determined and sensible individual, who simply wants to show the world he can play football.

That's why he tries the tricks and milks the goal celebrations. That's why he wallowed in the moment when he became the first England player to score at the new Wembley, for the Under 21s. And that's why he pulled out of the Under 21 European Championship, risking the wrath of boss Stuart Pearce.

He saw his long-term development as the most important thing. England fans were not impressed. They booed him on his senior debut against Israel and were quick to turn when things didn't work against the Swiss.

Bentley claimed he didn't hear the England boos. He will say the same about the Arsenal jeers. What he really means is they will not halt his ambition. His eyes are fixed on the top.