Arsenal, Global, Premier League

Dennis Bergkamp was a wonderful player and the true heir to Johan Cruyff, but we’ll only really appreciate his spontaneous brilliance when he’s gone.

When you think of great forwards, it is normally their hungry, scavanger-like instincts in front of goal that set them apart. Dennis Bergkamp does not suffer from any profligacy in this area; but, what really sets him apart is his incredible football mind. His vision and skill is such that he completes passes others wouldn’t even think of. Even goals he doesn’t score or create are still due, in part, to Bergkamp’s brilliance, as defenders are so terrified of his wizardry that two, or sometimes more, are always on Dennis’ heels.

But he can still escape them. While it is impossible to cherry-pick moments from such a long career of sustained excellence, there are a few moments that stick out. His goal against Argentina in the quarter-final of World Cup ‘98 was scored in the dieing minutes after Bergkamp controlled a 60 yard-pass superbly. The Dutch master wrong-footed the defender before a superb finish with the outside of his right-foot to beat the goalkeeper at the near post. It was a sensational goal by any means, but it was made truly great by the circumstances - an 89th minute winner to take Holland into the last four of the World Cup. Good players are only made great by their deeds in the most testing circumstances, and great is certainly the only way to describe Dennis Bergkamp.

Another moment of spontaneous brilliance was away to Newcastle in 2002, a tricky game vital to Arsenal’s title challenge. Picking up the ball twenty yards out, with his back to goal and Nikos Dabizas right behind him, a pass looked to be the only option. 99.9% of people would have settled on passing the ball, but Bergkamp is part of the other 0.01%, the geniuses who always make thins happen. Bergkamp flicked the ball past Dabizas, ran around the back of him, and produced a calm finish to beat Shay Given. Yet again, Bergkamp scored a goal which no one else could have dreamt of.

Bergkamp’s vision, flamboyance and ability to amaze make him the nearest thing to Johan Cruyff’s heir

Inter Milan were the one club Bergkamp struggled at. He could not adapt to the game there, where the game is played like chess and defences are king. it could be said that his struggles in Italy say more about the league itself than about Bergkamp. He was not allowed to express himself fully and was only too glad when Arsenal came calling. With the Gunners he has won two doubles and also helped the club go through an entire league season unbeaten, although the Champions’ League is a competition that seems destined to elude his grasp.

Ajax were Bergkamp’s first club, and there is no doubt he plays the game from the “Ajax school of football.” It could be said that his vision, flamboyance and ability to amaze make him the nearest thing to Johan Cruyff’s heir. But, there is a nasty side to Dennis, one which often goes hand-in-hand with his best form, interestingly. On the pitch he is prone to lashing out, frustrated with far inferior opponents man-handling and harassing him. He is probably angered by the way far less skilled players play the game in such a way that reduces it to the most boring of spectacles in a bid to nullify his threat. However, this should not be used as an excuse.

With 37 goals in just 78 international appearances, Bergkamp has a record all strikers would be proud of. But Dennis is not one, he is so much more. The most creative of playmakers, he is more likely to score a wonder goal from twenty yards out than a tap-in from two. This is a testament to his Ajax upbringing, where style was as important as substance. He enjoys playing just behind a main striker, such as Thierry Henry. Experts estimate that he has brought over a third of Henry’s goals at Highbury through his famous killer pass - that perfect through ball that slides through the defence and is so well-paced it lands in the ideal position for Bergkamp’s team-mate.

It will feel strange seeing Arsenal without the Non-Flying Dutchman for the first time since 1996. His place in the pantheon as one of the true greats of the game will only really be acknowledged and appreciated when he’s gone; and the sublime touches, brilliant finishes and fantastic through-balls go with him. But Dennis Bergkamp has left plenty for footballing connoisseurs to remember.

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