Pennant hits out at Wenger policy

Birmingham close to Pennant deal

Jermaine Pennant believes Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger's reliance on foreign players has forced him out of Highbury.

The 22-year-old, who is on loan at Birmingham, told BBC Radio Five Live: "The number of games I've played in six years at Arsenal is pretty poor.

"I don't know whether it's because I'm English but Wenger brought in a lot of foreign players and they're playing and I got brought in and never played.

"I was patient but it just didn't work out for me, which is frustrating."

Pennant was released from prison two weeks ago after serving one month of a three-month sentence for driving offences.

He has returned to Birmingham - where he has been since January - and says he is close to tying up a permanent move to the club.

"Arsenal and Birmingham have agreed so now it's up to my agent to talk to Karren (Brady, Birmingham managing director)," he said.

When a kid has got dreams of being a Premiership footballer and you're being held back, it's so frustrating Jermaine Pennant

Pennant has paid tribute to Blues boss Steve Bruce's man-management, he admitted to feeling isolated by Wenger at Arsenal.

"Arsene's never sat me down and said this is what I want, this is what I want to sort out, so I've been more or less left to wonder if I've got a future here," he added.

"I relate more to Steve Bruce - he talks to his players more and he's gone through certain things and made mistakes in his career so I can relate to him.

"He knows what it's like, especially when you're young and you're going to make mistakes. There's always a chance for a second chance.

"He'll sit down with you and put you on the straight and narrow. His management skills are great."

Pennant has made only five Premiership starts for Arsenal since joining them in 1999 from Notts County.

And the winger believes that arriving at a Premiership club at the age of 15 - and not playing regular football - may have contributed to his bad behaviour.

"When a kid has got dreams of being a Premiership footballer and you know you've got the ability and you're being held back, it's so frustrating," he said.

"If you play week-in-week-out, you've got to look at your life.

"I wasn't playing so I didn't have to worry about anything. I was in a big city enjoying myself.

"At 17 or 18 I didn't expect to play but then I went out on loan last season [Leeds] and the season before that [Watford] and I've done very well and I haven't put a foot wrong, then you have to wonder 'why I am not playing?'.

"But that's history now. I'm at Birmingham, I can concentrate on my football and there's not going to be a problem."