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Arsenal - Ajax a perfect match for Bergkamp: and Wenger
Written by JR Walker | 21st July 2006 | 16 Comment(s)
In more than one way Ajax is the perfect opponent for Arsenal's first match at their new stadium for an encounter that celebrates the career of one of the finest footballers to wear the shirt of both clubs.
For Dennis Bergkamp the day will present the perfect opportunity for him to bid farewell to the club he has taken to his heart after fulfilling his boyhood dream of coming through the ranks and playing for the team most young Amsterdammers hold in the highest esteem.
Bergkamp has always been happiest playing in an offensive team and Arsene Wenger's style at Arsenal has allowed the creative Dutch forward to bring all that he learnt under the guidance of Johan Cruyff into a Premiership career that has at times been sublime to observe.
Arsene Wenger was of course very much at the forefront of taking Arsenal to pastures new, and although the match is not actually his testimonial Ajax would appear to be the perfect opponent on what will be a special day for the genial Frenchman as another step is taken along the road to The Gunners' competitive encounters at their new home.
Ajax has been renowned for bringing through young talent for many years and although Wenger's young starlets have a slightly more cosmopolitan feel with regard to their nationalities, his gathering of young players and attention to improving training facilities isn't too dissimilar to the blue-print laid down by the Dutch club.
Wenger's attacking methods may have been revolutionary to many Arsenal fans, but Ajax supporters would have seen it all before.
Two wide players, a creative forward dropping off the main striker, players interchanging positions especially when full-backs move up field, lots of quick passing and one-two's in the last third of the field, many athletic players with pace and skill and a team that presses the play when their opponents are in possession.
When Arsenal and Bergkamp were at their peak under Wenger, The Gunners were probably the closest comparison to the ‘Total Football' credited to the Rinus Michels and Cruyff era back in the early 70's.
Ajax is a pale shadow of those halcyon days at present, but the identical system continues to exist. Wenger is equally adamant not to be swayed from his 4-4-2 system, and although he eventually accepted that a slight change was required for European competition Arsenal continued to play with width and offensive football that left Real Madrid and Juventus in their wake last term.
Wenger of course has not openly admitted basing his system on the Ajax method as he continued the work begun by Bruce Rioch and dragged Arsenal from the defensive rut in which they had fallen under George Graham. However, The Gunners have become one of the game's most attractive teams and supporters have been privileged to witness some of the football played.
Bergkamp's arrival wasn't greeted with horns blowing from all quarters as infamously the then Tottenham Chairman Alan Sugar stated that the Dutchman was a mercenary that had failed in Italy and would bleed Arsenal for a couple of seasons before moving on.
How wrong the self-made businessman was, but of course none of the candidates on his program would dare mention this particular error of judgement. Mr. Sugar - your assessment of a quality footballer is deplorable - you're fired!!
Bergkamp's Italian expedition however, was probably ill-advised. Inter Milan was in the midst of a time where they were the poor relation to city rivals AC who had gained success with the Dutch trio of Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard.
Milan's philosophy was to attack as they relied on a stout defence which included greats like Franco Barresi and Paulo Maldini, while Inter played very much within the traditional Italian method.
Bergkamp's game was stifled and not helped by his fellow striker Ruben Sosa who was a player that appeared only to think of himself, which only further nullified Bergkamp's game.
Nevertheless, sometimes these things happen for a reason and had Bergkamp gone to AC instead he would probably have not wound up at Arsenal. To this day he remains the only World Class player that that was in that category at the time Arsenal signed him. Others may have become World Class, but that was only after they had joined the club.
Bergkamp gained an Eredivisie winners medal in 1990, won three Dutch Cups along with a European Cup Winners Cup in 1987 and the Uefa Cup in 1992. It is easily forgotten that he was Inter's top scorer with 7 goals when they also lifted the Uefa Cup in 1994.
However had he remained in Amsterdam he would have been part of the side that won the Champions League in 1995, which in hindsight may have had some bearing on his decision to remain loyal to Arsenal. Unfortunately that particular prize was always to allude him, and in all honesty his aversion to taking to the skies was a contributory factor even if the player refuses to admit that himself.
The 1997/8 season will undoubtedly be remembered as Bergkamp's finest in English football as he propelled Arsenal towards a glorious ‘Double' with performances and goals of the utmost quality.
Unfortunately he was to miss the climax through injury, but Players' Player and Sportswriters' Player of the year awards duly followed, and during the World Cup Finals that year he produced another stunning goal to see off Argentina at the quarter-final stage - a goal he dedicated to England following their controversial exit at the hands of the same team in the previous round.
Injuries hampered Bergkamp after that season, especially at the turn of the millennium where Arsenal still retained a second place finish, but spent a couple of seasons well adrift of a Manchester United team producing some wonderful attacking displays of their own.
A return to fitness and form saw Arsenal attain the ‘Double' once more in 2002 with Freddie Ljungberg the main recipient of some sublime Bergkamp passes which made the difference during the run-in.
Of course beautiful football has not always been what Bergkamp has hit the headlines for during his time in England, as there has been the odd occasion when the red-mist has descended and a regrettable flailing elbow has been unleashed. Sometimes constant appealing when he thinks he has been wronged has been a source of annoyance, but in the main the pluses far outweigh the minuses.
Loyalty in football these days is a somewhat terse subject, but Bergkamp can certainly be held in high regard especially when considering he has never gone in search of a last big pay-day and more security with his length of contract, instead preferring to remain on one-yearly agreements which are the policy of the club for players in their 30's.
Bergkamp's application for the cause can be summed up best when recalling the 2005 Cup Final against Man United. On a rain sodden pitch he was asked to forge a lone burrow up front, and although he and Arsenal didn't play the greatest of matches his effort was 100%.
Some may have bemoaned the fact that his talents would not be best suited to the situation and age could be against him, but Bergkamp is professional and as a professional he was going to do his utmost to help gain the required result. Fancy-Dan foreigner - he was certainly not that day Mr. Sugar.
During his final season his powers slowly diminished, but he always gave everything for the teams. It is easy to forget that Arsenal's run to the Champions League Final begun with Bergkamp using his experience to toe-poke the winner past FC Thun at Highbury.
On Saturday he will step out at the stadium that he has played his part in building. Would Arsene Wenger, Patrick Vieira, Marc Overmars and Thierry Henry to name but a few arrived at Arsenal had Bergkamp not been there? Who knows, but the lure of playing (or coaching) with one of the game's best players would have been an attractive proposition.
Bergkamp has come a long way since he first stepped into professional football at Ajax's old De Meer stadium against Roda JC on 14th December 1986. Supporters of both clubs will have their own special memories of him - a player that tried to play football in a way that would entertain, who on occasions propelled it to being a form of art.
English football has been privileged to have Dennis Bergkamp within its structure for so long and it is fitting that he leaves without having to plough his trade further down the League with players who will struggle to be on his wavelength.
For such a sublime player he deserves to go out at the top and in a stadium that is quite clearly one of the best in the World. When stories pass through generations it will always be remembered that the first game at Arsenal's new home was Bergkamp's last.
Many Arsenal fans will visit the ‘Emirates Stadium' for the first time on Saturday, but some with the odd tear in their eye as they bid ‘tot ziens' to their Dutch master.
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Comments
Comment by Ayo on Saturday 29 July 2006 @ 10:02pm
Comment by darika on Sunday 23 July 2006 @ 10:30pm
He deserve it.
Comment by Stynet on Saturday 22 July 2006 @ 6:11pm
For years to come we've still got Dennis Bergkamp! No on the pitch but in the heart and soul of the club...
Comment by Norms on Saturday 22 July 2006 @ 4:47pm
You will always remain one of greatest, a privilege to have seen you play over so many years; truly we have basked in a Bergkamp Wonderland and you will remember when others have been forgotten. Thank you for enriching so many games.
Comment by Maurice Jansen on Saturday 22 July 2006 @ 3:18pm
Thanks for all those nice years, Dennis! You will stay 4-ever in every Gooners heart. You are in 1 word: Brilliant!
Comment by Wingy on Saturday 22 July 2006 @ 3:21pm
The Master - words cannot express how high an esteem i hold Dennis in. An ambassador, he played some of the mot intelligent football I have ever seen.
Comment by Kevin on Saturday 22 July 2006 @ 1:17am
A great read and a brilliant tribute to an Arsenal legend in the truest sence of the word. I hope he still has a role with Arsenal on the coaching staff. I read he wants to be an ambassador for the club and Arsenal could have no better man.
Comment by Iceman! on Friday 21 July 2006 @ 11:05pm
Nice article! We will miss Dennis, he was the best!!!
Comment by Dan on Friday 21 July 2006 @ 11:21pm
Great article encapsulating all that was great and the very little that was ever bad. Dennis you are without a doubt a legend who will be sorely missed at AG. Thanks for the memories (especially Leicester City away).
Comment by Dan on Friday 21 July 2006 @ 11:21pm
Great article encapsulating all that was great and the very little that was ever bad. Dennis you are without a doubt a legend who will be sorely missed at AG. Thanks for the memories (especially Leicester City away).
Comment by Ballster on Friday 21 July 2006 @ 7:47pm
Great player, shame about the whinging and the flying elbows
Comment by Harry on Friday 21 July 2006 @ 3:56pm
One without peers, You will never be forgotten. A privelege to have seen you grace Highbury. Walking Along singing a song, walking in a Bergkamp Wonderland!!!!!!!!
Comment by TUSIIME on Friday 21 July 2006 @ 1:18pm
Denis is a true legend of arsenal.The embodiment of the spirit of the gunners.Long live the dutch master.
Comment by Your name here on Friday 21 July 2006 @ 1:34pm
Your thoughts
Comment by iknow on Friday 21 July 2006 @ 8:08am
LEGEND.
Comment by lohtw on Friday 21 July 2006 @ 8:05am
Good tribute to the great "Iceman"... Thanks Dennis!
Watching you wearing that red and white shirt will always be a very fond memory. Cant belive your retiring will we ever see your like again? Will never forget the days of you and Wrighty upfront-complete opposites-but so good at complementing each other.You helped thierry become the player he is. Thnks for all the good times.Thanks for everything.