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===Arsenal===
===Arsenal===
[[Image:Dennis Bergkamp.jpg|thumb|Bergkamp at Arsenal]]
[[Image:Dennis Bergkamp.jpg|thumb|200px|Bergkamp in action for Arsenal]]
Unsettled in Italy, Bergkamp left Internazionale and signed for [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] in June 1995 for a transfer fee estimated at £7.5 million.<ref name="arsenal">{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rioch-signs-bergkamp-to-signal-new-era-1587607.html|title=Rioch signs Bergkamp to signal new era |date=21 June 1995 |accessdate=9 December 2011 |work=[[The Independent]] |last=Shaw |first=Phil | location=London}}</ref> He became manager [[Bruce Rioch]]'s first signing at Arsenal and broke the club's transfer fee record set at £2.5 million.<ref name="arsenal"/> Bergkamp's arrival at the club was significant, not only as he was an established international footballer who looked to have his best years ahead of him but because he was a major contributor to Arsenal's return to success after much decline in the mid-1990s. On the opening day of the [[1995–96 FA Premier League|1995-96]] league season, Bergkamp made his full debut against [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]]. He evidently struggled to adapt to the English game and having failed to score in the club's next five league matches, Bergkamp was subject to ridicule by the national press. On 23 September, Bergkamp scored his first and subsequently second goals for Arsenal against [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] at [[Arsenal Stadium|Highbury]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/dennis-finds-his-menace-1602734.html|title=Dennis finds his menace |date=24 September 1995 |accessdate=9 December 2011 |work=The Independent |last=Houston |first=Bob | location=London}}</ref> Bergkamp ended his first season with 33 appearances and an goal tally of 11, helping Arsenal finish fifth and earn a place in the [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]] by scoring the winner against [[Bolton Wanderers|Bolton]] on the final day of the season.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/bergkamp-sends-arsenal-into-europe-1345860.html|title=Bergkamp sends Arsenal into Europe |date=6 May 1996 |accessdate=9 December 2011 |work=The Independent |last=Chesshyre |first=Tom | location=London}}</ref>
After two unhappy seasons at Inter, Bergkamp was signed by [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] boss [[Bruce Rioch]] in June 1995 for £7.5 million. Bergkamp made his debut against [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] on 20 August 1995 but had to adapt to the English style of play. It took him seven games before he finally managed to score his first goal, against [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]]. Slowly but surely, Bergkamp's stature grew, playing as a forward behind the main striker, [[Ian Wright]]. They soon formed a strong partnership which was one of the finest in the [[Premier League]]. Bergkamp has been regarded by many football pundits such as [[Alan Hansen]] as being the greatest foreign player to grace the English game.


The appointment of [[Arsène Wenger]] as Arsenal manager in September 1996 marked a turning point in Bergkamp's career.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2004/apr/25/arsenal|title=On a higher plane |date=25 April 2004 |accessdate=13 December 2011 |work=The Guardian |last=Lawrence |first=Amy| location=London}}</ref> Wenger, who had moderate success coaching in [[France]] and [[Japan]] recognised Bergkamp's talent and wanted to use him as a fulcrum to the team's forward play. Both were advocates of a continental style of attacking football and Wenger's decision to impose a strict fitness and health regime pleased the footballer. Despite making fewer appearances in the [[1996–97 in English football|1996–97 season]], Bergkamp was more influential in the first team—creating 13 assists. Against [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] in November 1996, he set up the 88th minute winner for captain [[Tony Adams (footballer)|Tony Adams]] to head-in and scored into injury time—controlling the high ball with his left foot and evading his marker [[Stephen Carr]] in a tight area to set himself up to shoot.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-bergkamp-and-adams-break-spirited-spurs-1354105.html|title=Football: Bergkamp and Adams break spirited Spurs |date=25 November 1996 |accessdate=10 December 2011 |work=The Independent |last=Haylett |first=Trever | location=London}}</ref> Bergkamp received his first [[Penalty card|red card]] against [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] in January 1997 for a high tackle on midfielder [[Paul Bracewell]] in the 26th minute.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/grim-for-grizzly-adams-1282883.html|title=Grim for grizzly Adams|date=12 January 1997 |accessdate=10 December 2011 |work=The Independent |last=Turnbull |first=Simon | location=London}}</ref> Arsenal went on to lose the match 1–0 but a run of eight wins in their final 16 matches ensured the club finished third, missing out on a spot in the [[UEFA Champions League]] via goal difference.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-three-gunner-salute-for-baseball-ground-1261073.html|title=Football: Three Gunner salute for Baseball Ground |date=12 May 1997 |accessdate=10 December 2011 |work=The Independent |last=Shaw |first=Phil | location=London}}</ref>
Bergkamp's arrival at Arsenal was significant, not only as he was one of the first world-class foreign players to join an English club since the lifting of the [[Heysel Stadium disaster|Heysel]] ban in 1990, but also because he was a major contributor to the club's return to success after a brief period of mediocrity in the mid-1990s.


Bergkamp [[1997–98 in English football|the following season]] was instrumental in helping Arsenal complete a domestic league and cup [[The Double|double]]. He became the club's top goal-scorer with 22 goals and impressively recorded a strike rate of 0.57 in the league. Arsenal's achievement was all the more astonishing given that the team—written off by many in December 1997 had made ground on reigning division champions [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/77544.stm |title=Title run-in: United steel or Arsenal grit? |date=30 April 1998 |accessdate=12 November 2011 |publisher=BBC News }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-1013159-wengers-sandcastle-under-siege.do|title=Wenger's sandcastle under siege |date=5 November 2001 |accessdate=12 December 2011 |work=[[Evening Standard]]|last=Stammers |first=Steve | location=London}}</ref> Early in the season away to [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] at [[Filbert Street]] on 23 August 1997, Bergkamp scored his first [[Hat-trick#Football .28Association football.29|hat-trick]] for the club.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-wright-faces-more-fa-action-1247722.html|title=Football: Wright faces more FA action |date=28 August 1997 |accessdate=10 December 2011 |work=The Independent |last=Shaw |first=Phil | location=London}}</ref> The third goal, regarded as his favourite for Arsenal<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/ggg4-bergkamp-v-leicester-city-1997 |title=GGG4: Bergkamp v Leicester City, 1997 |date=28 July 2009 |accessdate=11 November 2011 |work=Arsenal.com }}</ref> required just one touch to control the ball in the penalty box, another to flick it past his marker [[Matt Elliott (footballer)|Matt Elliott]] before juggling the ball with his feet and shooting past goalkeeper [[Kasey Keller]]. After the match, Leicester manager [[Martin O'Neill]] was gracious enough to admit that Bergkamp's was "the best hat-trick I've ever seen".<ref>Palmer (2008), p. 73.</ref> In an [[FA Cup]] quarter-final replay against [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] on 17 March 1998, Bergkamp was sent off for elbowing midfielder [[Steve Lomas]] and missed three matches due to suspension.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/66693.stm |title=Arsenal and Sheffield United through on penalties |date=18 March 1998 |accessdate=11 November 2011 |publisher=BBC News }}</ref> He played no further part in Arsenal's season after overstretching his hamstring against [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] on 29 April 1998, missing the [[1998 FA Cup Final|FA Cup final]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/85823.stm |title=Arsenal near title |date=30 April 1998 |accessdate=11 November 2011 |publisher=BBC News }}</ref> Bergkamp was consoled with the [[PFA Players' Player of the Year]] award; recognised by his fellow peers as the outstanding performer in English football.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/74451.stm |title=Bergkamp honoured by PFA |date=6 April 1998 |accessdate=11 November 2011 |publisher=BBC News }}</ref>
Bergkamp hit his best form for Arsenal after the arrival of [[Arsène Wenger]] in September 1996. Arsenal won an [[FA Premier League]] and [[FA Cup]] double in the [[1997-98 in English football|1997–98]] season (although Bergkamp missed the cup final with an injury), and Bergkamp was voted [[PFA Player of the Year]]. In September 1997, he became the first and so far the only player to have come first, second and third in ''[[Match of the Day]]'s'' [[Goal of the Month (England)|Goal of the Month]] competition, for a 2 goals from his [[hat trick]] against [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] and a goal against [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] (Not as widely credited for all 3 goals of his hat trick against Leicester City<ref>{{cite web |title=Goal of the Month 1997|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NlHVNsPHKE}}</ref>). He scored 16 times that season, as well as being involved in setting up many more. At the end of that same season, he helped the Netherlands to a fourth-place finish at the [[1998 World Cup]]. In that competition, he scored one of the greatest goals of all time in a quarter final win against Argentina, after receiving a 60 yard pass from [[Frank de Boer]]. During the 2001/02 campaign, Bergkamp once again scored a truly memorable goal that would go on to win Premier League Goal of the Season. On 3 March 2002, Arsenal took on Newcastle in a league encounter. With just 10 minutes on the clock, [[Robert Pires]] sent in a low pass from the left flank to Bergkamp standing on the edge of the opponent area with his back to goal. With an ingenious flick of the ball with the inside of his left foot, he dumbfounded defender [[Nikos Dabizas]] who was marking him tightly. He swiveled the other way, brushing the defender aside, and coolly slotting the ball past an onrushing [[Shay Given]].


After an effective [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998 World Cup]] campaign with the national team, Bergkamp had another productive season in [[1998–99 in English football|1998–99]]. Although Arsenal failed to retain the Premier League - being beaten on the final day of the season by Manchester United, Bergkamp was the club's second top-goalscorer with 16 goals in all competitions. The team were also defeated in a FA Cup [[1998–99 FA Cup#Semi-finals|semi-final replay]] – their best chance of silverware against Manchester United in April 1999.<ref name="FACup"/> With the score 1–1 heading into injury time, Arsenal were awarded a penalty after midfielder [[Ray Parlour]] was brought down by [[Phil Neville]] inside the 18-yard box. Bergkamp, who stepped up to take the penalty saw his effort saved by goalkeeper [[Peter Schmeichel]]. In the second-half of [[extra time]] [[Ryan Giggs]] scored the winner; a goal regarded by many as the greatest in the competition's history.<ref name="FACup">{{cite news |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/1999/apr/15/match.sport3?INTCMP=SRCH|title=Schmeichel takes flight as Giggs strips Arsenal bare |date=15 April 1999 |accessdate=11 December 2011 |work=[[The Guardian]] |last=Thorpe |first=Martin | location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/891126/the-fa-cup%27s-greatest-goals?cc=5739|title=The FA Cup's Greatest Goals |date=11 March 2011 |accessdate=11 December 2011 |publisher=ESPN Soccernet |last=Carter |first=Jon }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_united/s/58/58639_giggs_goal_is_greatest_fa_cup_moment.html|title=Giggs' goal is greatest FA Cup moment |date=15 May 2003 |accessdate=11 December 2011 |work=[[Manchester Evening News]] |location= Manchester }}</ref>
While his subsequent form did not match the spectacle of that season, Bergkamp continued to be a regular in the Arsenal team. He won the double again in 2002, the FA Cup in 2003 and the Premier League for a third time in 2004. The club's domestic success was not matched in European competition, the closest to winners' medals coming when they lost the 2000 UEFA Cup final to [[Galatasaray S.K. (football team)|Galatasaray]] on [[penalty shootout (football)|penalties]] and the 2006 Champions League final loss to Barcelona; Bergkamp traveled overland to Paris for his competitive farewell, only to be an unused substitute.


[[1999–2000 in English football|1999–2000]] proved to be a frustrating season for both Arsenal and Bergkamp. The club finished second in the league, 18 points behind Manchester United and lost in the [[2000 UEFA Cup Final|UEFA Cup final]] to [[Turkey|Turkish]] opponents [[Galatasaray S.K. (football team)|Galatasaray]] on penalties.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/752751.stm |title=Penalty heartbreak for Arsenal |date=17 May 2000 |accessdate=11 November 2011 |publisher=BBC News }}</ref> The departure of compatriot [[Marc Overmars]] and French midfielder [[Emmanuel Petit]] in the close season led to speculation over Bergkamp's future.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/936020.stm |title=Bergkamp future still uncertain |date=21 September 2000 |accessdate=11 November 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport }}</ref> He ultimately agreed terms over a contract extension in December 2000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/1090298.stm |title=Bergkamp and Parlour agree deals |date=28 December 2000 |accessdate=11 November 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport }}</ref> Despite an array of new signings made in the [[2000–01 in English football|2000–01 season]], Arsenal were runners-up in the league for a third year in succession.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1310320.stm |title=Arsenal outgun Leeds |date=5 May 2001 |accessdate=11 November 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport }}</ref> The emergence of [[Thierry Henry]] and [[Sylvain Wiltord]] as the main [[Forward (association football)|strikers]] saw Bergkamp's first-team opportunities limited as a result. He was used as a late substitute in [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]'s win over Arsenal in the [[2001 FA Cup Final|2001 FA Cup final]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2001/may/13/match.sport?INTCMP=SRCH|title=Owen spikes the Gunners |date=13 May 2001 |accessdate=11 December 2011 |work=[[The Guardian]] |last=Wilson |first=Paul| location=London}}</ref>
In 2005, due to Arsenal's reluctance in offering him a new deal, there was speculation that Bergkamp would leave the club, and possibly football altogether. Bergkamp had said that he would retire from football if not offered a new contract with Arsenal for the [[2005-06 in English football|2005–06]] campaign, despite interest from his former club Ajax. Following Arsenal's penalty shootout victory over [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] in the FA Cup Final in [[Cardiff]] though, it was revealed he would sign a one-year contract extension, which was custom by the manager Arsène Wenger for players over 30 years of age, keeping him at the London club for their final season at the [[Arsenal Stadium]] at Highbury.

[[Image:Emirates Stadium Arsenal.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The [[Emirates Stadium]] filling up on the day of Bergkamp's testimonial.]]
{{quote box
On 16 April 2006, the home match against [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]], the Arsenal supporters dedicated the original "Supporter's Day" match theme (one of the designated theme days Arsenal prepared to celebrate their last year at Highbury before moving to the Emirates Stadium) to "Dennis Bergkamp Day", to commemorate Bergkamp's time at Arsenal. Bergkamp came on as a second half substitute, setting up the winning [[Robert Pirès]] goal, after [[Nigel Quashie]] had equalized just after he came on. He scored a curler himself at the 89th minute, as Arsenal ran out 3–1 winners. That goal proved to be the last goal Bergkamp scored in Arsenal colours and in competitive football.<ref>{{cite web | Bergkamps last Arsenal game was the final league match of the season which was against Wigan. This was also the last ever game at Highbury. He came on as a substitue and Arsenal won the game 4–2 and were able to finish above Tottenham and end the season finishing 4th and qualifying for the Champions League.
| width = 25%
author=Clarke, Richard |
| align = right
url=http://www.arsenal.com/match/report/0708premiership-arsenal-3-1-west-brom-match-report |
| quote = "You can't blame anyone for that. You just have to accept that Bergkamp did a beautiful thing."</p>
title=Cometh the hour, cometh the Iceman |
| source = [[Sir Bobby Robson]] on Dennis Bergkamp's goal against Newcastle United in March 2002.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/alansmith/2321419/The-brilliance-of-Bergkamp.html|title=The brilliance of Bergkamp |date=18 September 2007 |accessdate=10 December 2011 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |last=Smith |first=Alan }}</ref>
work=Arsenal.com }}</ref>
}}

Success would finally come in the [[2001–02 in English football|2001–02 season]]. Arsenal regained the league, beating Manchester United at [[Old Trafford]] in the penultimate game of the season to complete the club's second double under Wenger; Arsenal defeated Chelsea 2–0 to win the FA Cup four days prior.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/3027377/Simply-champion-Arsenal.html|title=Simply champion, Arsenal |date=8 May 2002 |accessdate=12 December 2011 |work=The Daily Telegraph |last=Winter |first=Henry |location=London }}</ref> Bergkamp featured in 33 league matches, setting up 15 goals—one of which against Juventus in the [[2001–02 UEFA Champions League#Group D 2|second group stage]] of the Champions League. Holding off two markers, he twisted and turned before feeding the ball to [[Freddie Ljungberg]] in the penalty box to score.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2001/dec/05/championsleague.sport|title=Ljungberg at the double |date=5 December 2001 |accessdate=12 December 2011 |work=The Guardian |last=Lacey |first=David |location=London }}</ref> Bergkamp headed in the winner against Liverpool in a FA Cup fourth-round tie on 27 January 2002 but was shown a red card for a two-footed lunge on defender [[Jamie Carragher]], who himself was sent off for throwing a coin in the crowd.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1780997.stm |title=Sweet revenge for Arsenal |date=27 January 2002 |accessdate=11 November 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> He was subsequently banned for three matches (two league, one FA Cup round)<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2429966/Arsenal-hit-by-Bergkamp-ban.html |title=Arsenal hit by Bergkamp ban|date=4 February 2002 |accessdate=12 December 2011 |work=Daily Telegraph |last=Wallace |first=Sam }}</ref> and made his league return against Newcastle United on 3 March 2002. Early in the match, Arsenal midfielder [[Robert Pirès]] played a low pass from the left flank to Bergkamp in the edge of the opponent area with his back to goal. Under pressure from his marker [[Nikos Dabizas]], Bergkamp controlled the ball with one flick and went around the other side before placing the ball precisely into the bottom right-hand corner and score. Wenger described the goal as "unbelievable",<ref name="Newcastle">{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2431805/Newcastle-laid-bare-by-Bergkamp.html |title=Newcastle laid bare by Bergkamp|date=3 March 2002 |accessdate=12 December 2011 |publisher=The Daily Telegraph |last=Wallace |first=Sam }}</ref> adding "It was not only a magnificent goal but a very important one – I enjoyed it a lot".<ref name="Newcastle"/> Bergkamp would feature in nine out of the last ten league games, forming a special partnership with Ljungberg.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/3027104/Ljungberg-has-will-to-win.html |title=Ljungberg has will to win |date=3 May 2002 |accessdate=12 December 2011 |work=The Daily Telegraph |last=Ley |first=John }}</ref>

Bergkamp reached a personal landmark during the [[2002–03 in English football|2002–03 season]], scoring his 100th goal for Arsenal against [[Oxford United F.C.|Oxford United]] in a FA Cup third-round tie on 4 January 2003.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/2607165.stm |title=Arsenal end Oxford dream |date=4 January 2003 |accessdate=12 November 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/2527171.stm |title=Bergkamp reaches milestone |date=4 January 2003 |accessdate=12 December 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> In the league, Arsenal failed to retain the championship having led by eight points in March 2003.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/2992107.stm |title=Ten weeks that turned the title |date=4 May 2003 |accessdate=12 November 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> They did however win the FA Cup for a second successive year, beating Southampton in the [[2003 FA Cup Final|final]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2003/may/18/match.facup|title=Pires aim is true for muted Gunners |date=18 May 2003 |accessdate=12 December 2011 |work=The Guardian |last=Wilson |first=Paul |location=London }}</ref>

On 20 July 2003, Bergkamp signed a one-year extension at the club.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/3081441.stm |title=Bergkamp signs new deal |date=20 July 2003 |accessdate=12 November 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> [[2003–04 in English football|2003–04]] ended on a high point for Bergkamp as Arsenal reclaimed the league title, becoming the first English team in more than a century to go through the [[2003–04 Arsenal F.C. season|entire domestic league season unbeaten]]. Against Leicester City in the final league match of the campaign with the score tied at 1–1, Bergkamp set up the winner; providing a slide-rule pass to captain [[Patrick Vieira]] who rounded the goalkeeper and scored.<ref name="Invincibles">{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2378953/Arsenal-join-the-Invincibles.html|title=Arsenal join the Invincibles|date=16 May 2004 |accessdate=13 December 2011 |work=The Daily Telegraph |last=Barclay |first=Patrick |location=London }}</ref> The team, dubbed ''The Invincibles''<ref name="Invincibles"/> did not achieve similar dominance in Europe; Arsenal were beaten by [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] in the quarter-finals of the Champions League over [[Two-legged tie|two legs]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/champions_league/3593083.stm |title=Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea |date=6 April 2004 |accessdate=13 December 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> Bergkamp committed himself to Arsenal at the end of the season, signing a further extension to his contract.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/3708777.stm |title=Bergkamp agrees new deal |date=12 May 2004 |accessdate=13 December 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref>

[[Image:Emirates Stadium Arsenal.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The [[Emirates Stadium]] filling up during Bergkamp's testimonial match between Arsenal and Ajax in July 2006.]]

Bergkamp started in 29 league matches in the [[2004–05 in English football|2004–05 season]] but Arsenal's title defence ended unsuccessfully as the team finished second, 12 points behind Chelsea. At home to [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] on 22 August 2004, Bergkamp deputised as captain for the injured Vieira in a match Arsenal came back from 1–3 down to win 5–3 and equal [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]]'s record of 42 league matches undefeated.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2004/aug/23/match.arsenal|title=Gunners have all the answers to biggest test |date=23 August 2004 |accessdate=13 December 2011 |work=The Guardian |last=McCarra |first=Kevin| location=London}}</ref> Against [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]] in the FA Cup on 19 February 2005, Bergkamp was shown a straight red card by referee [[Neale Barry]] for shoving defender [[Danny Cullip]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/4259689.stm |title=Arsenal 1-1 Sheff Utd|date=19 February 2005 |accessdate=13 December 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> His appeal to reverse the decision was rejected by the [[Football Association]] meaning that he missed the club's next three domestic games.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-16813823-bergkamp-loses-red-card-appeal.do|title=Bergkamp loses red card appeal |date=23 February 2005 |accessdate=13 December 2011 |work=Evening Standard|location=London }}</ref> In Arsenal's final home match of the season against Everton, Bergkamp produced a [[Man of the match#Association football|man of the match]] display; scoring once and assisting three of the goals in a 7–0 win.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2005/may/12/match.sport|title=Rampant Gunners in seventh heaven |date=12 May 2005 |accessdate=13 December 2011 |work=The Guardian |last=Brodkin |first=Jon |location=London }}</ref> Bergkamp was moved by the Arsenal supporters chanting "one more year" – implying the club keep him for another season describing it as "quite special", adding "They obviously feel there is another year left in me, so that's great as it shows they're really behind me."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/4533683.stm |title=Bergkamp made to wait on new deal |date=12 May 2005 |accessdate=13 December 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> Following Arsenal's penalty shootout victory over [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] in the [[2005 FA Cup Final|FA Cup final]], it was revealed he would sign a one-year contract extension.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/4569757.stm |title=Bergkamp set to stay at Arsenal |date=21 May 2005 |accessdate=13 December 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref>


In Bergkamp's [[2005–06 Arsenal F.C. season|final season at Arsenal]], the team secured fourth position on the final match of the season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4957444.stm |title=Arsenal 4-2 Wigan|date=7 May 2006 |accessdate=13 December 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> Bergkamp scored an injury-time winner against [[FC Thun]] on Matchday 1 of the Champions League having come on as a substitute in the 72nd minute.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2365306/Bergkamp-just-beats-clock.html|title=Bergkamp just beats clock |date=15 September 2005 |accessdate=13 December 2011 |work=The Daily Telegraph |last=Winter |first=Henry |location=London }}</ref> After much campaigning from Arsenal supporters, the club designated one of its Highbury matchday themes (to commemorate the stadium's final season as home of Arsenal) to Dennis Bergkamp.<ref name="DB">{{cite web |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/turn-highbury-orange-for-dennis-bergkand-day- |title=Turn Highbury orange for Dennis Bergkamp Day!|date=3 April 2006 |accessdate=13 November 2011 |work=Arsenal.com }}</ref> 'Bergkamp Day', which took place against [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] on 15 April 2006 celebrated the player's contribution to Arsenal with fans given commemorative orange 'DB10' t-shirts – the colour of his national term, initials and squad number.<ref name="DB"/> Bergkamp himself came on as a second-half substitute and set up the winning Pirès goal, moments before [[Nigel Quashie]] had levelled the scoreline. Fittingly Bergkamp scored in the 89th minute which proved to be his last goal for Arsenal in competitive football.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4890626.stm |title=Arsenal 3-1 West Brom |date=15 April 2006 |accessdate=13 December 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/there-was-only-one-dennis-bergkamp-408838.html |title=There was only one Dennis Bergkamp |date=22 July 2006 |accessdate=13 December 2011 |work=The Independent |location=London }}</ref> Bergkamp was an unused substitute in his final match for Arsenal against [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] in the [[2006 UEFA Champions League Final|Champions League final]]; Barcelona scored twice in the last 13 minutes to win the competition and overturn Arsenal's early lead.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4773353.stm |title=Barcelona 2-1 Arsenal|date=17 May 2006 |accessdate=13 December 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref>
On 14 July 2008 he placed 2nd in [[Gunners Greatest 50 Players]], just behind former strike partner [[Thierry Henry]], in an online poll on [http://Arsenal.com Arsenal.com].<ref name="greatest50">[http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/greatest-players-no-2.-dennis-bergkand Gunners' Greatest Players 2. Dennis Bergkamp]</ref>


==International career==
==International career==
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*[[FIFA 100]]
*[[FIFA 100]]


==Club statistics==
==Career statistics==
===Club===
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===International===
==National team statistics==
<ref>http://www.national-football-teams.com/v2/player.php?id=10836</ref><ref>http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/bergkamp-intlg.html</ref>
<ref>http://www.national-football-teams.com/v2/player.php?id=10836</ref><ref>http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/bergkamp-intlg.html</ref>
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== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}


== External links ==
== External links ==

Revision as of 20:53, 13 December 2011

Dennis Bergkamp
Personal information
Full name Dennis Nicolaas Bergkamp[1]
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Second striker
Youth career
1981–1986 Ajax
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1986–1993 Ajax 185 (103)
1993–1995 Inter Milan 52 (11)
1995–2006 Arsenal 315 (87)
Total 648 (234)
International career
1990–2000 Netherlands 79 (37)
Managerial career
2011– Ajax (assistant)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Dennis Nicolaas Bergkamp (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈdɛnɪs ˈbɛrχkɑmp] ; born 10 May 1969), is a former Dutch professional footballer who is currently the assistant manager to Frank de Boer at Ajax. At club level he played for Ajax, Internazionale, and Arsenal, and also represented the Netherlands at international level. Bergkamp played most of his best games as a support striker at Arsenal, where his tactical awareness and deft passes made him a great exponent of the game from the 'hole'. He was selected by Pele as one of the FIFA 100 greatest living players and is widely regarded as one of the Premier League's greatest players. In 2007 he was inducted into the FIFA Hall of Fame, the first and thus far only Dutch player ever to receive such honour. He has also finished third in the FIFA World Player of the Year award twice.

Club career

AFC Ajax

Born in Amsterdam, Bergkamp was brought up through Ajax's famous youth system, joining the club at age 12. He was given his professional debut by coach Johan Cruyff on 14 December 1986 against Roda JC, and went on to make 14 appearances that season. He played as a substitute in the 1987 European Cup Winners Cup final against Lokomotive Leipzig, which Ajax won.

The following season, Bergkamp became a regular for Ajax, winning the Dutch league in 1990, the UEFA Cup in 1992 and the KNVB Cup in 1993. From 1991 to 1993 Bergkamp was top scorer in the Eredivisie, and he was voted Dutch Footballer of the Year in 1992 and 1993. In all, Bergkamp scored 122 goals in 239 games for his hometown club.

Internazionale

In the summer of 1993, Bergkamp was signed by Internazionale for £12m alongside his Ajax team-mate Wim Jonk. This made him the second most expensive player in the world at the time, second only to Gianluigi Lentini.[2]

However, his time in Italy was less successful. Although he won a second UEFA Cup in 1994, he found it hard to adapt to the Italian style of play, scoring just 11 times in 50 appearances. Bergkamp's poor form was not helped by his frosty relationship with the Italian press, and indeed some of his teammates. He was so unpopular at the club, that the Italian sports media, renamed their "donkey of the week" award (handed to the worst player that week) to the "Bergkamp of the Week" award. [citation needed]

Arsenal

Bergkamp in action for Arsenal

Unsettled in Italy, Bergkamp left Internazionale and signed for Arsenal in June 1995 for a transfer fee estimated at £7.5 million.[3] He became manager Bruce Rioch's first signing at Arsenal and broke the club's transfer fee record set at £2.5 million.[3] Bergkamp's arrival at the club was significant, not only as he was an established international footballer who looked to have his best years ahead of him but because he was a major contributor to Arsenal's return to success after much decline in the mid-1990s. On the opening day of the 1995-96 league season, Bergkamp made his full debut against Middlesbrough. He evidently struggled to adapt to the English game and having failed to score in the club's next five league matches, Bergkamp was subject to ridicule by the national press. On 23 September, Bergkamp scored his first and subsequently second goals for Arsenal against Southampton at Highbury.[4] Bergkamp ended his first season with 33 appearances and an goal tally of 11, helping Arsenal finish fifth and earn a place in the UEFA Cup by scoring the winner against Bolton on the final day of the season.[5]

The appointment of Arsène Wenger as Arsenal manager in September 1996 marked a turning point in Bergkamp's career.[6] Wenger, who had moderate success coaching in France and Japan recognised Bergkamp's talent and wanted to use him as a fulcrum to the team's forward play. Both were advocates of a continental style of attacking football and Wenger's decision to impose a strict fitness and health regime pleased the footballer. Despite making fewer appearances in the 1996–97 season, Bergkamp was more influential in the first team—creating 13 assists. Against Tottenham Hotspur in November 1996, he set up the 88th minute winner for captain Tony Adams to head-in and scored into injury time—controlling the high ball with his left foot and evading his marker Stephen Carr in a tight area to set himself up to shoot.[7] Bergkamp received his first red card against Sunderland in January 1997 for a high tackle on midfielder Paul Bracewell in the 26th minute.[8] Arsenal went on to lose the match 1–0 but a run of eight wins in their final 16 matches ensured the club finished third, missing out on a spot in the UEFA Champions League via goal difference.[9]

Bergkamp the following season was instrumental in helping Arsenal complete a domestic league and cup double. He became the club's top goal-scorer with 22 goals and impressively recorded a strike rate of 0.57 in the league. Arsenal's achievement was all the more astonishing given that the team—written off by many in December 1997 had made ground on reigning division champions Manchester United.[10][11] Early in the season away to Leicester City at Filbert Street on 23 August 1997, Bergkamp scored his first hat-trick for the club.[12] The third goal, regarded as his favourite for Arsenal[13] required just one touch to control the ball in the penalty box, another to flick it past his marker Matt Elliott before juggling the ball with his feet and shooting past goalkeeper Kasey Keller. After the match, Leicester manager Martin O'Neill was gracious enough to admit that Bergkamp's was "the best hat-trick I've ever seen".[14] In an FA Cup quarter-final replay against West Ham United on 17 March 1998, Bergkamp was sent off for elbowing midfielder Steve Lomas and missed three matches due to suspension.[15] He played no further part in Arsenal's season after overstretching his hamstring against Derby County on 29 April 1998, missing the FA Cup final.[16] Bergkamp was consoled with the PFA Players' Player of the Year award; recognised by his fellow peers as the outstanding performer in English football.[17]

After an effective 1998 World Cup campaign with the national team, Bergkamp had another productive season in 1998–99. Although Arsenal failed to retain the Premier League - being beaten on the final day of the season by Manchester United, Bergkamp was the club's second top-goalscorer with 16 goals in all competitions. The team were also defeated in a FA Cup semi-final replay – their best chance of silverware against Manchester United in April 1999.[18] With the score 1–1 heading into injury time, Arsenal were awarded a penalty after midfielder Ray Parlour was brought down by Phil Neville inside the 18-yard box. Bergkamp, who stepped up to take the penalty saw his effort saved by goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel. In the second-half of extra time Ryan Giggs scored the winner; a goal regarded by many as the greatest in the competition's history.[18][19][20]

1999–2000 proved to be a frustrating season for both Arsenal and Bergkamp. The club finished second in the league, 18 points behind Manchester United and lost in the UEFA Cup final to Turkish opponents Galatasaray on penalties.[21] The departure of compatriot Marc Overmars and French midfielder Emmanuel Petit in the close season led to speculation over Bergkamp's future.[22] He ultimately agreed terms over a contract extension in December 2000.[23] Despite an array of new signings made in the 2000–01 season, Arsenal were runners-up in the league for a third year in succession.[24] The emergence of Thierry Henry and Sylvain Wiltord as the main strikers saw Bergkamp's first-team opportunities limited as a result. He was used as a late substitute in Liverpool's win over Arsenal in the 2001 FA Cup final.[25]

"You can't blame anyone for that. You just have to accept that Bergkamp did a beautiful thing."

Sir Bobby Robson on Dennis Bergkamp's goal against Newcastle United in March 2002.[26]

Success would finally come in the 2001–02 season. Arsenal regained the league, beating Manchester United at Old Trafford in the penultimate game of the season to complete the club's second double under Wenger; Arsenal defeated Chelsea 2–0 to win the FA Cup four days prior.[27] Bergkamp featured in 33 league matches, setting up 15 goals—one of which against Juventus in the second group stage of the Champions League. Holding off two markers, he twisted and turned before feeding the ball to Freddie Ljungberg in the penalty box to score.[28] Bergkamp headed in the winner against Liverpool in a FA Cup fourth-round tie on 27 January 2002 but was shown a red card for a two-footed lunge on defender Jamie Carragher, who himself was sent off for throwing a coin in the crowd.[29] He was subsequently banned for three matches (two league, one FA Cup round)[30] and made his league return against Newcastle United on 3 March 2002. Early in the match, Arsenal midfielder Robert Pirès played a low pass from the left flank to Bergkamp in the edge of the opponent area with his back to goal. Under pressure from his marker Nikos Dabizas, Bergkamp controlled the ball with one flick and went around the other side before placing the ball precisely into the bottom right-hand corner and score. Wenger described the goal as "unbelievable",[31] adding "It was not only a magnificent goal but a very important one – I enjoyed it a lot".[31] Bergkamp would feature in nine out of the last ten league games, forming a special partnership with Ljungberg.[32]

Bergkamp reached a personal landmark during the 2002–03 season, scoring his 100th goal for Arsenal against Oxford United in a FA Cup third-round tie on 4 January 2003.[33][34] In the league, Arsenal failed to retain the championship having led by eight points in March 2003.[35] They did however win the FA Cup for a second successive year, beating Southampton in the final.[36]

On 20 July 2003, Bergkamp signed a one-year extension at the club.[37] 2003–04 ended on a high point for Bergkamp as Arsenal reclaimed the league title, becoming the first English team in more than a century to go through the entire domestic league season unbeaten. Against Leicester City in the final league match of the campaign with the score tied at 1–1, Bergkamp set up the winner; providing a slide-rule pass to captain Patrick Vieira who rounded the goalkeeper and scored.[38] The team, dubbed The Invincibles[38] did not achieve similar dominance in Europe; Arsenal were beaten by Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the Champions League over two legs.[39] Bergkamp committed himself to Arsenal at the end of the season, signing a further extension to his contract.[40]

The Emirates Stadium filling up during Bergkamp's testimonial match between Arsenal and Ajax in July 2006.

Bergkamp started in 29 league matches in the 2004–05 season but Arsenal's title defence ended unsuccessfully as the team finished second, 12 points behind Chelsea. At home to Middlesbrough on 22 August 2004, Bergkamp deputised as captain for the injured Vieira in a match Arsenal came back from 1–3 down to win 5–3 and equal Nottingham Forest's record of 42 league matches undefeated.[41] Against Sheffield United in the FA Cup on 19 February 2005, Bergkamp was shown a straight red card by referee Neale Barry for shoving defender Danny Cullip.[42] His appeal to reverse the decision was rejected by the Football Association meaning that he missed the club's next three domestic games.[43] In Arsenal's final home match of the season against Everton, Bergkamp produced a man of the match display; scoring once and assisting three of the goals in a 7–0 win.[44] Bergkamp was moved by the Arsenal supporters chanting "one more year" – implying the club keep him for another season describing it as "quite special", adding "They obviously feel there is another year left in me, so that's great as it shows they're really behind me."[45] Following Arsenal's penalty shootout victory over Manchester United in the FA Cup final, it was revealed he would sign a one-year contract extension.[46]

In Bergkamp's final season at Arsenal, the team secured fourth position on the final match of the season.[47] Bergkamp scored an injury-time winner against FC Thun on Matchday 1 of the Champions League having come on as a substitute in the 72nd minute.[48] After much campaigning from Arsenal supporters, the club designated one of its Highbury matchday themes (to commemorate the stadium's final season as home of Arsenal) to Dennis Bergkamp.[49] 'Bergkamp Day', which took place against West Bromwich Albion on 15 April 2006 celebrated the player's contribution to Arsenal with fans given commemorative orange 'DB10' t-shirts – the colour of his national term, initials and squad number.[49] Bergkamp himself came on as a second-half substitute and set up the winning Pirès goal, moments before Nigel Quashie had levelled the scoreline. Fittingly Bergkamp scored in the 89th minute which proved to be his last goal for Arsenal in competitive football.[50][51] Bergkamp was an unused substitute in his final match for Arsenal against Barcelona in the Champions League final; Barcelona scored twice in the last 13 minutes to win the competition and overturn Arsenal's early lead.[52]

International career

Bergkamp warming up before a UEFA Euro 1996 match against Scotland at Villa Park, Birmingham.

Bergkamp made his international debut for the Netherlands against Italy on 26 September 1990. His first major tournament was Euro 92, where the Dutch were defending champions. Bergkamp impressed, but the Dutch lost on penalties in the semi-finals to the team that would go on to win the tournament, Denmark, despite Bergkamp scoring both in regular time and in the penalty shoot-out.

Bergkamp also impressed in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, playing in all of his side's matches, scoring a goal against Brazil, a match the Dutch ultimately lost 3–2. The Netherlands disappointed in Euro 96, with the squad riven by in-fighting, although Bergkamp still scored once, and set up Patrick Kluivert's consolatory goal against England that got the side into the quarter-finals.

Bergkamp scored three times in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, including a memorable winning goal in the final minute of the quarter-final against Argentina. Bergkamp took a leaping first touch to instantly control a long 60-yard aerial pass from Frank de Boer, brought the ball down through Argentine defender Roberto Ayala's legs, and finally finished by firing a volley with the outside of his right foot past the keeper at a tight angle from the right. With three intelligent right-footed touches in a matter of seconds, he was able to turn the game and send his national squad into the semifinal round.[53]

The Netherlands joint-hosted Euro 2000 and were one of the favourites. After progressing through the "group of death", they lost on penalties to Italy in the semi-finals. Bergkamp didn't score at all during the tournament but still played an important role. After the defeat, Bergkamp announced his retirement from international football, because the next major tournament, the 2002 FIFA World Cup, would be played in Japan and South Korea and Bergkamp's aviophobia (see below) would prevent him from travelling there. He did not play the qualification matches, since he thought that it would be unfair to do so. However, the Netherlands failed to qualify for the tournament in any case.

He ended his international career first on the all-time list of goal scorers for the Dutch national team, with 37 goals in 79 games, although this record was later surpassed by Patrick Kluivert.

Post-football career

Bergkamp had the honour of being the focus of the first match at Arsenal's new ground, the Emirates Stadium. On 22 July 2006, a testimonial was played in his honour at the new stadium, with Arsenal playing his old club Ajax. Bergkamp kicked off the match with his father, Wim, and son, Mitchel. All four children acted as the match's mascots. The first half was played by members of Arsenal and Ajax's current squads, while the second was played by famous ex-players from both sides; such as Ian Wright, Patrick Vieira, Marc Overmars, Emmanuel Petit and David Seaman for Arsenal, and Marco van Basten, Danny Blind, Johan Cruijff, Frank and Ronald de Boer for Ajax. Arsenal won the match 2–1 with goals from Thierry Henry and Nwankwo Kanu; Klaas-Jan Huntelaar had earlier opened the scoring for Ajax, making him the first goalscorer at the Emirates Stadium.[54]

Upon retiring from playing Bergkamp insisted he would not move into coaching. He turned down an offer to scout for Arsenal and instead concentrated on travelling and spending time with his family. However, in May 2008 he began a fast-track coaching diploma for former Dutch international footballers. Because of his aviophobia, he studied under Arsène Wenger in London.[55]

It has been confirmed by Marco van Basten that Bergkamp has undertaken a trainee role at Ajax which will help him establish himself in a future coaching capacity.[56]

He has reiterated that he would not turn down an opportunity for a coaching role at Arsenal, stating “I wouldn’t rule out coaching Arsenal, "it would be the aim of my coaching career, I really love this club and the country and I love working here".

On August 3, 2011, he played in the Dream Team made by Edwin Van der Sar during the goalkeeper's final match against Ajax.

Others on Bergkamp

In Brilliant Orange (ISBN 0-7475-5310-6), David Winner's analysis of the way in which Dutch football and Dutch culture blend, the sculptor Jeroen Henneman analyzes the effect of Bergkamp's passes and how he can split a defence:

"It's a miracle. One moment the pitch is crowded and narrow. Suddenly it is huge and wide."

Bergkamp's close control and skill in passing the ball has put him in very high regard by Arsenal's fans, who have given him nicknames such as "Dennis the Menace", "the Dutch Master", and "Bergy".

Arsène Wenger also said about him after Arsenal's 3–1 win over West Bromwich Albion (16 April 2006) that Bergkamp had:

"Intelligence and class. Class is of course, most of the time linked to what you can do with the ball, but the intelligence makes you use the technique in an efficient way. It's like somebody who has a big vocabulary but he doesn't say intelligent words, and somebody who has a big vocabulary but he can talk intelligently, and that's what Dennis is all about. What he does, there's always a head and always a brain. And his technique allows him to do what he sees, and what he decides to do."[57]

Bergkamp's former strike partner Thierry Henry praised the Dutchman after his last game for the club:

"Dennis is the best player I have ever played with as a partner. It is a dream for a striker to have him in the team with you."[58]

Arsenal Legend Ian Wright said of Bergkamp:

"He's the messiah. We told him to get us into Europe when he joined and that's exactly what he did."[58]

In April 2006, Simon Kuper wrote in the Financial Times:

"One night last year some legends of Dutch football gathered for dinner in an Amsterdam house. Around midnight conversation turned to an old question: who was the best Dutch footballer ever? Dutchmen have been voted European Footballer of the Year seven times, more than any other nationality except Germans. Yet Jan Mulder, a great centre-forward turned writer, chose a player who had never even threatened to win the award nor, at the time, a Champions League: 'Bergkamp. He had the finest technique', said Mulder. Guus Hiddink, the great Dutch manager, nodded, and so the matter was settled."[59]

Personal life

Bergkamp is married to Henrita Ruizendaal, with whom he has had three daughters Estelle Deborah, Yasmin Naomi and Saffron Rita, and a son Mitchel Dennis.[citation needed]

He is also the uncle of Roland Bergkamp, who currently plays for Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.[60]. During his time with Arsenal he studied mechanical engineering at The University of Bath. Bergkamp is also best friends with Marc Overmars and Robert Pires, with whom he played at Arsenal.

Aerophobia

Bergkamp has the nickname Non-Flying Dutchman [61] due to his fear of flying. This stemmed from an incident with the Dutch national side at the 1994 World Cup where the engine of the plane cut out during flight,[62] which prompted a journalist to joke about having a bomb in his bag.[63] Following this incident Bergkamp decided he'd never fly again suggesting that the anxiety over the flights would significantly affect his performances. This severely limited his ability to play in away matches in European competition and to travel with the Dutch national side. In some cases he would travel overland by car or train,[62][64] but the logistics of some matches were such that he would not travel at all. In one situation, Arsene Wenger told him not to travel, even though it was logistically possible, because of the exertions involved.[64]

Coaching career

In 2008 Bergkamp completed the Coach Betaald Voetbal course by the KNVB, a mandatory licensing requirement for professional coaching positions in The Netherlands. He completed his traineeship under the wing of Marco van Basten at AFC Ajax. On 26 October 2008, Bergkamp was appointed assistant to Johan Neeskens for the newly formed Netherlands B team.

For the 2008-09 season, Bergkamp returned to Ajax in a formal coaching position with responsibility for the D2 (U12) youth team. Following Frank De Boer's promotion to AFC Ajax head coach in December 2010, Bergkamp was appointed assistant coach to Fred Grim, with responsibility for Ajax' flagship A1 (U19) youth team. In the 2011-12 pre-season, Bergkamp was appointed assistant coach and striker trainer to Frank de Boer's first team.

Honours

Club

Ajax
Internazionale
Arsenal

Individual

Career statistics

Club

Template:Football player club statistics 1 Template:Football player club statistics 2 |- |1986/87||rowspan="7"|Ajax||rowspan="7"|Eredivisie||14||2||5||0||colspan="2"|-||4||0||23||2 |- |1987/88||25||5||1||0||colspan="2"|-||6||1||32||6 |- |1988/89||30||13||3||3||colspan="2"|-||1||0||34||16 |- |1989/90||25||8||2||1||colspan="2"|-||1||0||28||9 |- |1990/91||33||25||3||1||colspan="2"|-||colspan="2"|-||42||29 |- |1991/92||30||24||3||0||colspan="2"|-||11||6||44||30 |- |1992/93||28||26||4||4||colspan="2"|-||8||3||40||33 Template:Football player club statistics 2 |- |1993/94||rowspan="2"|Internazionale Milano||rowspan="2"|Serie A||31||8||13||9||colspan="2"|-||11||8||55||25 |- |1994/95||21||3||3||1||colspan="2"|-||2||1||26||5 Template:Football player club statistics 2 |- |1995/96||rowspan="11"|Arsenal||rowspan="11"|Premier League||33||11||1||0||7||5||colspan="2"|-||41||16 |- |1996/97||29||12||2||1||2||1||1||0||34||14 |- |1997/98||28||16||7||3||4||2||1||1||40||22 |- |1998/99||29||12||6||3||2||0||3||1||40||16 |- |1999/00||28||6||colspan="2"|-||colspan="2"|-||11||4||39||10 |- |2000/01||25||3||5||1||colspan="2"|-||5||1||35||5 |- |2001/02||33||9||4||3||2||0||6||2||44||14 |- |2002/03||29||4||2||2||1||0||7||1||38||7 |- |2003/04||24||4||3||1||1||0||6||0||37||5 |- |2004/05||30||8||4||0||1||0||4||0||38||8 |- |2005/06||24||2||1||0||2||0||4||1||30||3 Template:Football player club statistics 3185||103||21||9||colspan="2"|-||31||10||237||122 Template:Football player club statistics 452||11||16||10||colspan="2"|-||13||9||81||30 Template:Football player club statistics 4315||87||39||14||21||8||48||11||423||120 Template:Football player club statistics 5553||201||51||25||2||0||92||30||698||256 |}

International

[65][66] Template:Football player national team statistics |- |1990||4||3 |- |1991||5||2 |- |1992||11||7 |- |1993||6||4 |- |1994||11||6 |- |1995||5||1 |- |1996||10||6 |- |1997||5||4 |- |1998||9||3 |- |1999||5||1 |- |2000||8||0 |- !Total||79||37 |}

References

  1. ^ Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2005). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005. Queen Anne Press. p. 57. ISBN 1852916656.
  2. ^ Dennis Bergkamp – The Iceman Website || Stats
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