Dennis Bergkamp is a retired Dutch professional footballer. His exemplary technique, reading of the game and professionalism made him one of the greatest players of his generation.
He began his career at Ajax, a product of the much famed Ajax academy, where he won several domestic and international honours, including the Eredivisie, the Dutch Cup, and the UEFA Cup.
Early Career
During his early career, Bergkamp made a name for himself as a prolific goalscorer and a creative playmaker. He was known for his technical ability, vision, and intelligence on the pitch, and, of course, ability to score spectacular goals. He quickly established himself as one of the most promising young talents in Dutch football, and was soon courted by some of the biggest clubs in Europe.
In 1993, Bergkamp was snatched up by Italian club Inter Milan for a then-world record transfer fee. His time at Inter was a miserable one, the Dutchman netting just 11 times in 52 appearances. The first season saw Internazional barely avoid relegation, however a two legged UEFA Cup final victory over Rapid Buceresti saved the blushed of the Italian side.
The former Ajax’s man fared worse in his second season, constantly blighted by injuries and the vicious words of an unimpressed Italian press.
Arsenal
In 1995, Bergkamp moved to the English Premier League to join Arsenal, an escape route where he would spend the rest of his career.
He had an immediate impact at Arsenal, scoring on his debut in a 4-2 win against Everton. Whilst his startunder Bruce Rioch was mixed, he quickly established himself as one of the most important players in the team.
Once Arsene Wenger arrived on British shores, Bergkamp never looked back, helping the club to win several domestic and European honours, including three Premier League titles and four FA Cups.
Bergkamp’s impact at Arsenal cannot be overstated. He was the team’s creative and technical hub, and his ability to score goals and create assists was vital to the club’s success. He was known for his unerring accuracy, and his ability to score with his left and right foot, as well as his head. He was also known for his ability to score spectacular goals, such as his famous goal against Newcastle United in 2002, where he flicked the ball over the defender’s head and volleyed it into the net, as well as a superb drack back and perfectly aimed shit past Lionel Perez against Sunderland.
Invincibles
Dennis Bergkamp was a key member of the Arsenal team that was famously known as “The Invincibles” during the 2003-2004 season under manager Arsene Wenger. The team went through the entire league season without a single defeat, a feat that had not been accomplished in English football since the 19th century.
Bergkamp’s influence on Arsenal was not limited to the pitch. He was a leader in the dressing room, and his professionalism and work ethic were an example to his teammates. He was also a mentor to many of the young players in the team, such as Cesc Fàbregas and Robin van Persie, who would go on to become some of the best players in the world.
Fear of Flying
It’s difficult to discuss Dennis Bergkamp without his well-known for his fear of flying, which is a condition called aviophobia. This condition meant that he was unable to fly on a plane for long distances, which caused him to miss several games for Arsenal, particularly in European competitions.
The players refusal to fly was a source of controversy during his career. Some critics argued that his fear was an inconvenience to the team and that it affected his performances. However, Wenger and his teammates were understanding of the situation and worked with him to find alternative ways of travel, such as taking a train or bus.
Despite his fear of flying, Bergkamp was able to maintain a high level of performance on the field. He was able to separate his fear from his professional life and focus on playing football.
Goal v Argentina
Dennis Bergkamp’s goal against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup is widely considered one of the greatest goals in the history of the tournament. The goal came in the quarter-final match between the Netherlands and Argentina, and it secured the Netherlands a place in the semi-finals.
The goal was scored in the dying minutes of the match, with the score tied at 1-1. Bergkamp received the ball from Frank de Boer just inside the Argentine half, before turning and running towards the goal. He then used a series of quick, precise moves to evade three defenders, before slotting the ball past the goalkeeper.
The goal was a demonstration of Bergkamp’s technical skill and ability to create something out of nothing. He was able to control the ball perfectly and make precise movements, which allowed him to evade the defenders and score the goal. The goal was widely praised by fans and experts alike, who hailed it as a masterpiece of individual skill and creativity.
The goal helped the Netherlands to reach the semi-finals of the tournament, where they were eventually defeated by Brazil.
Legacy
Bergkamp’s influence on the Premier League and English football as a whole cannot be overstated. He was one of the first truly world-class foreign players to play in the English league, and his technical ability and creativity set a new standard for the league. He was also a trailblazer for other foreign players, and his success helped to pave the way for the influx of foreign talent that has become a defining feature of the Premier League.
In total, Bergkamp scored 120 goals in 396 appearances for the Gunners and he was voted the club’s best ever foreign player in a poll of fans in 2008. He was also voted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2007, and was included in the Premier League’s 10 Seasons Awards in 2003 and the Premier League 100 Players of the Century in 2007.