Bournemouth star Benik Afobe believes he would have scored goals for Arsenal but insists he doesn't hold any grudges

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Benik Afobe has a gentle face but the killer instinct - in front of goal - of a mercenary, and believes he would have scored goals for Arsenal if they had not let him go.  

The striker, 22, instead had to take a longer route to the Premier League, via loans to six clubs, a permanent switch to Wolverhampton Wanderers and finally getting his chance after a £12million move to Bournemouth in January.

Afobe is an extremely confident goalscorer — they so often are — and never doubted he could score against top-flight defences, but with three goals in his first four matches one wonders why he was not here sooner.

Benik Afobe (pictured celebrating against Crystal Palace) has scored three in four games for Bournemouth

Afobe will face former club Arsenal (playing in the FA Youth Cup above) in the Premier League on Sunday

Afobe will face former club Arsenal in the Premier League for the first time on Sunday, a club he joined aged six and who honed his skills for more than a decade under Arsene Wenger, but was never given an opportunity in the first team for the north London club reap the benefits of that time and attention.

‘I believe I would’ve [scored goals for them],’ he said. ‘That’s the story for another day. I’m not there any more and I don’t hold any grudges and say this could’ve happened or that could’ve happened. I’m in the Premier League now scoring goals so at the end of the day I’m happy.

‘At six you’re still a baby really. They’ve played a big part in the way I play football, helped me progress as a player and I’ve got a lot to thank them for and I respect them a lot, but on Sunday I’ve got a job to do for my club here and there will be no friends.’

Afobe heads the ball past Crystal Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey in a 2-1 win for Bournemouth

Afobe scored 40 goals in one season for Arsenal Under 16s and several more for the Under 18s and was part of the England Under 17 side who won the European Championships in 2010. But injuries have hampered him and Wenger never felt it the right time to bring him into the first team.

‘I don’t hold any grudges I’ve already scored three goals in my last three games so I’ve got nothing to prove to Arsenal,’ he added. 

‘It was their decision to sell me and I’ve moved on. It’s been years now. I’ve got great friends there, I’ve got nothing bad to say about Arsenal. I would’ve liked to have got my chance but it didn’t happen.’

Afobe, pictured training in 2012 (right), insists he doesn't hold any grudges against the Gunners