Football FanCast columnist Alex Dimond wonders if Jason Banton is making a huge faux pas in turning his back on Arsenal.

Few fans around England would argue that Arsenal have one of the finest youth development programs in the country, if not the world.

Of course, many of their young talents are initially recruited from oversees, but Arsene Wenger has built an infrastructure at the club that has gone on to consistently produce first team regulars.

Even those who don't make it with the Gunners often find they become Premiership footballers elsewhere - Fabrice Muamba at Bolton for example, or Steve Sidwell of Aston Villa.

Perhaps the finest example of this second route, however, is England international David Bentley. The 24-year-old turned his back on North London, and went to make his name at Blackburn Rovers. Now back in the capital with Tottenham, he is regular in international squads.

This week, it appears one young Englishman has taken that lesson to heart. Jason Banton, a striker at Arsenal's prestigious youth academy, has reportedly agreed a deal to join the Paul Ince revolution at Blackburn.

The 16-year-old, believed to be furious at the Arsenal coaching staff over his lack of progress at the Emirates, is rumoured to have turned down Manchester City in favour of a move to Ewood Park.

As reported by the Daily Mail, Blackburn are delighted with the coup. Managing director Tom Finn said: "We are delighted to have Jason here. He's a young England international playing a year above his own age group."

At the Emirates and elsewhere, however, there will be many questions. Should a 16-year-old being make his career decisions at such a young age, against the advice of coaches who have a proven track record of producing world-class talent?

Especially when that talent takes him to a club that cannot claim such a record?

Many will be forced to wonder whether Banton has made a critical error, at such an early stage in his career. While Bentley has proven that success is possible away from the Emirates, it must not be forgotten that the wide-man had made appearances for Arsenal before he left, along with an invaluable season on-loan in the Premiership at Norwich.

Banton, however, has not had so much as a sniff of first-team football for the Gunners. Compared to the stage Bentley was at when he headed to Blackburn, Banton is not even close.

Having already left Arsenal once in his young career - he moved to Spurs, who cancelled his contract over various issues - you would have thought he would be thankful to have received a second chance to learn under Wenger. This seems not to be the case, and it looks like the striker believes the grass really is greener on the other side.

Only time will tell whether he is right.

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