David Bentley had a "Mohican" when he scored an FA Cup cracker for Arsenal against Middlesbrough a couple of months ago.

He was a major influence for the England Under-21s in Sweden on Tuesday night, sporting blond streaks in his hair.

"Yeah, it’s longer and a different colour," smiles the 19-year-old who is clearly enjoying all the compliments coming his way at the moment.

"I get bored sometimes, look in the mirror and think I fancy a change. My girlfriend used to work for the hairdressers Toni and Guy, so I’ll think of something on the Tuesday and get it done on the Wednesday."

Bentley is as far removed from your average, awkward teenager as you can get.

He wasn’t cowed when Arsene Wenger drafted him in at the age of 16 to train with Arsenal’s first-team superstars. And he’s not daunted about trying to break into the Gunners' side on a regular basis – surely one of the hardest jobs in football.

"I have always watched and admired players like Paul Gascoigne and Eric Cantona," he says. "They have personalities and make things interesting. I have always tried to be like that. I think people like watching someone enjoying themselves."

Bentley’s outrageous chip over Mark Schwarzer in the FA Cup Fourth Round this season underlined his talent.

He then marked his England Under-21 debut with a stunning goal from the edge of the area against Holland and it was his set-piece which led to England’s opener in the 2-2 draw in Sweden this week.

Bentley admits he is maturing under the watchful eye of Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal coaches, not to mention Under-21 manager David Platt.

"I was at the game when David headed the winner against Manchester United in our first double year. But I haven’t told him that," says Bentley.

"I’ve always been energetic and liked to have fun. But people like Don Howe have influenced me to stay calm in certain situations.

"It’s the same on the pitch. I am an instinctive player and if I saw Eric Cantona or Dennis Bergkamp try something, I would go out and try to copy it.

Now I know there is a time to express yourself and a time to just move the ball on for the good of the team."

With Arsenal able to attract major talent from all the world, the big question is whether Bentley – who hails from Enfield in north London – can break through to feature alongside the likes of Thierry Henry and Robert Pires.

At this stage, it is a challenge he fully intends to take on. "It’s a very big ask to get into the side at my age – normally you have to be 24 or 25 to reach that level," he says.

"But I believe I can do it and I am willing to take that opportunity on. I’m not afraid of being put in the spotlight, the more eyes on you the more you want to perform. I think any player, if they are truthful, would be jealous if the attention was on someone else rather than them.

"I watched Arsenal and Manchester United on TV in my hotel room when I was preparing for the Sweden game. Of course it’s something you want to be part of yourself.

"I’ve played in a few positions but at the moment I’m on the right side of midfield and if that’s the route to get into the first-team, I am happy with that."

Bentley’s positive attitude was clear from the day he joined assorted Greeks, Swedes, Americans and others at the Arsenal Academy.

At 16, Wenger called him over and asked him to join in training with the big boys. "My first pass went to Dennis [Bergkamp], I think. I loved it from the first moment and when I finished training, I was on the phone to my Dad. It was ‘Oh My God, I’m with the first-team’.

"There is no point in being shy around them, you are trying to take their place in the team! I heard they showed a clip on TV of John Terry nutmegging Marcel Desailly in training at Chelsea. We try things on all the time at Arsenal. I’ve done the same to Patrick Vieira – he’s come looking for me after that!"

While he waits for regular first-team football, Bentley enjoys the camaraderie of England Under-21s – and the exposure.

"It’s good fun. It gets you noticed, puts your fitness levels up and I enjoy the experience of going away with the boys, training hard and then going out for your country."