Posted on Monday, 20th September 2010 by Tony Merakli
The Dutchman was acquired by Bruce Rioch in June 1995 for £7.5 million after spells at Ajax and Internazionale. Bergkamp formed his first partnership at Arsenal with Ian Wright one of which, at the time, was regarded as one of the finest pairings in the Premier League. Bergkamp really shot to life and grew in stature whilst under the management of Arsene Wenger. In his time at Arsenal, Bergkamp played alongside Nicolas Anelka and of course the brilliant Thierry Henry, and even got the nickname ‘The Iceman’ for his cool, calculated approach to the game.
The Dutchman exemplified exactly what a second striker was about, and had to produce. Dennis Bergkamp had astonishing tactical awareness, super ball control and a remarkable deft passing ability like no other. Without a doubt, all these traits made him one of the best players ever to play in the English game and in the world.
In his 11 year career as an Arsenal player, the creative genius lifted 7 major trophies which included 3 Premier League titles and 4 F.A Cups. Bergkamp won so many individual accolades at both club and country level and was even selected by football legend Pele as one of FIFA’s 125 greatest living players of all time.
The playmaker made a total of 423 appearances for Arsenal (345 starts, 78 as a sub), made 124 assists and also bagged 120 goals along the way, all of which were absolute beauties (assists and goals that is). Dennis Bergkamp scored some outstanding goals in his day, but the one he got against Newcastle United on the 3rd of March 2002 is possibly his greatest goals in his professional career by far. Up to this day I still don’t know how he managed to pull it off, or can explain it in text what he done…So this video will explain everything:
Remarkably he never did win a FIFA World Player of the Year award, but did however manage (in 2007) to be inducted into the English Hall of Fame, making him the first and only Dutch player ever to receive this award. Tens of thousands of Arsenal fans voted the playmaker as the clubs second greatest players, in front of Tony Adams but behind Thierry Henry…it really does show how great this footballer really was. Just to see him play was a real privilege.
In my opinion, Dennis Bergkamp was the most technically gifted and visionary footballers ever to grace the Premier League, and of course play for Arsenal football club. A true master of the game, and the second best foreign player ever to wear the cannon on his chest behind Thierry Henry.
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Tags: Ajax, Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, Bergkamp, Bruce Rioch, Dennis Bergkamp, Internazionale, Newcastle United, Nicolas Anelka, Premier League, Thierry Henry, Tony Adams
Posted in Legends | Comments (3)
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September 9th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
What a legend, for me he was Arsenal’s best ever player, his vision and technique was second to none, he was pure class. Even Henry himself said he wouldn’t have been the player he was today without the great Bergkamp.
He was pure class and I love the fact that he took a pay cut to play Arsenal, it just shows how committed to the club he was.
Greatest player ever to wear an Arsenal shirt.
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September 9th, 2010 at 2:22 pm
One word to describe this man – Class
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September 10th, 2010 at 6:03 pm
Having had the pleasure of watching Arsenal for the past 46 years and seeing great players like Liam Brady, Tony Adams, Patrick Vieira, Ian Wright, Thierry Henry, I can honestly say that Dennis Bergkamp was my favourite player of all time. He was a football genious with fantastic skill, great vission and great goals. He was a complete master.
BEST EVER PLAYER BY MILES.
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