After all of the talk about TH14, PV4, and RP7 I think we all need to say a big thank you for all of the graft put in by the not quite so Flying Dutchman. All season I've picked out the repositioning of Kolo Toure as the factor that tipped the scales in our favour, but, how pivotal was the return to form of DB10? I think it's shameful that mention of his contribution amounts to not much more than an after thought! Today illustrates just how important he has been this year. Watch him time his run to perfection and then, without hesitation, play a fizzing precision ball for PV4 to touch home after 3 mins. Then a signature defence splitting pass, again to Paddy, leaving the simplest of pull backs for RP7 to make it 2. To borrow from Shakespeare, his speed of reaction and skill is the most sublime expression of "motion of no less selerity than that of thought" So thank you very much Dennis Bergkhamp! Thank you for quietly going about your business. Thank you for being one of the best footballers I have ever had the pleasure to watch and thank you for donning the Red and White and being the 1st piece in the jigsaw of what is now one of greatest teams in English football history. So I have 2 Q's! 1. Can he keep it going for 1 more year and 2. If he can't, how the heck are we going to replace him?
the only person who could attempt to replace bergkamp is ronaldiho and i don't think he is on the transfer market. as a newer american fan, this is the best patch of form i've seen from the dutchman. however, i have seen many of his goals through clips on the internet and he is clearly one of the top 100 legends of world football.
It's no coincidence that our three championship wins under Wenger have come when Bergkamp has had good seasons. The man is irreplaceable. I was clearing up a load of old programmes and stuff over the weekend and I started reading a copy of The Gooner from early in the 1997/98 season. It was the year when Dennis finally fulfilled his promise in an Arsenal shirt and powered us to the title playing with the majesty we have come to expect from him nowadays. He was being praised right, left and centre. Fantatsic stuff.
More than 3 cheers for the great man! I wish he'd change his mind and go to Portugal for us, he can teach young Van der Vaart a thing or two. He's turned down an offer from Ajax, so you don't need to worry if he'll go somewhere else. Arsenal or nothing is what he told Ajax apparently.
I'm always glad to add my 3 cheers for Saint Dennis. As I've said before ad nauseum....I first saw him play live when a buddy and I went to Orlando to see the Dutch take on Ireland in a 2nd round match in the 1994 WC. Bergkamp immediately stood out. His skills were sublime. It's been a pleasure seeing him play for Arsenal and my only disappointment whatsoever is the fact that when I was at Highbury for the match against Newcastle back in the fall, Dennis did not get into the match. Oh well, yet another reason to make a return trip this fall. Here's to Dennis...another year's contract and hopefully a position on Wenger's staff thereafter.
Hopefully he will get another year. I was reading an interview with him a couple of weeks ago though where he said that he would definitely not be staying in football after he finishes playing.
I second, third, fourth, and fifth this sentiment. Dennis is one of the main reasons I started following Arsenal. He is truly one of the most intelligent, classiest footballers in the world. Here's hoping he sticks around for another year so Reyes, Aliadiere, and all the other youngsters can learn from the Dutch Master!
i was living in atlanta at the time and drove down for that game - i don't know you do i? a photo from that day:
Boy am I gald he decide to buy those reebok boots instead of doing something else with the money and becoming a cheese packer in Amsterdam.
Maybe, although I cannot think of anyone I know very well now living in Amsterdam? But hey, since that was the closest WC94 venue to Atlanta there were probably a lot of people that drove down for that match. Did you hang out at that English bar in Church Street Station after the match to watch the U.S. versus Brazil? Great atmosphere.
So by the time you got back to Church Street the impromptu Brazilian street party had started I take it? I don't think I've ever stood and just gawked like that ever since. Many of the young women participating were....well as they say down here....easy on the eyes. Based on that, I think Rio during Carnivale would be sensory overload.
I think everyone agrees with this. During the celebration at WHL the players were chanting "1 more year" at Bergkamp. Everyone wants him to stay and he can help groom Bentley, Reyes and Van Persie
Dennis certainly has been the difference maker for more than a few games this year! Here's to hoping he has 2 more years left in him!
Thanks for the pix. I have a poster of the '98 Argentina goal on my wall, torn and tattered, but like the Iceman himself, irreplaceable.
I was just thinking about that brilliant ad this morning. Does anyone know if it can be found on the net?