Dennis Bergkamp, Arsenal's No. 10

10 May 1969 was a good day for Holland. In footballing terms, I mean. Dennis Bergkamp was born. I am an ardent lifetime supporter of the Gunners. Quite simply to most gooners, Dennis is God. God is Dennis. God wears the No. 10 at North London from 1995 to 2006. He is the definitive classic, one of a kind No. 10.When the then manager of Arsenal, Bruce Rioch splashed 7.5 million pounds for Bergkamp in the summer of 1995, it was a coup that was so out-of-the-world for most gooners. Personally, I felt that the club was finally showing ambitions.

He took awhile to settle and once those goals got underway against Southampton. It was …..uhmm.. wonderful! How can one forget that hat-trick at Filbert Street, that turn against Dabizas from the Toon Army, the World Cup goal against Argentina. Look at Ayala. His final competitive goal, so fittingly, was on Dennis Bergkamp Day against WBA. These are real moments to savour for fans of the Iceman.

For all these past 10-odd seasons, I feel so blessed to witness the Iceman. The One who operates behind the main strikers. The link between the midfield and striking line. He is The Shadow Striker, The Lurker and the Great Passer, all rolled into one. The Total Package. The foundation back at Wilskracht was laid well.

His skill element? Astounding, the least. The greatest of deft first touch and the radar-like awareness of where to pass or shoot the ball. Season 2006/07 is starting next week…. will I get to see so much skill and vision in one player again? I doubt we may see the likes of such a player again. He is a Comet in the Sky. Many can lay claim that Henry is the epitome of Arsenal greatness. True in every sense. For me, Dennis Bergkamp is my football colossus.

Bergkamp was the pivotal man in the transformation of Boring Arsenal to the birth of one the most cosmopolitan and exciting sides in the Premiership. So sad that Wenger’s side fail to capture Europe’s biggest trophy and conquer the continent in Paris few months back. It would have been the best sending-off present for a great Arsenal servant. Even though the Dutch master did not take on the pitch that night against Barcelona, his goal against FC Thun was the decisive moment in their European campaign.

In retrospect, I’ve seen so many great players like Samson, Talbot, Jensen, Sunderland, Caton, Chapman, Quinn, Davis, Lukic, Seaman, Winterburn, Groves, Smith, Thomas, Keown, Linighan, Rocky, O’Leary, Champagne Charlie, Bould, Adams, Wright, Dixon, Limpar, Campbell, Rix, Suker, Woodcock, Mariner, Jennings, Parlour, Schwarz, Hartson, Platt, Helder, Vieira, Merson, Anelka, Petit, Cole come and go. Bergkamp will last the longest in my memories.

Farewell….the Artist and the Genius.