Dennis Bergkamp is a true footballing legend, known for his exceptional technical ability and creative flair on the pitch.
As former teammate Patrick Vieira once said, “Dennis was the best player I played with. The way he could see a pass and execute it was just unbelievable. He was a pleasure to play with and he made it easy for the rest of us.”
Bergkamp’s contributions to the game have not gone unnoticed, with former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger stating, “Dennis Bergkamp is one of the greatest players I have ever worked with. His vision, touch, and intelligence on the ball were second to none.”
Bergkamp has had a successful and illustrious career that spans over two decades. He has consistently proven his worth as a world-class striker and playmaker from his early days at Ajax Amsterdam, to his time at Inter Milan, and finally his iconic stint at Arsenal. However, despite his many accomplishments on the pitch, Bergkamp is perhaps most famous for his phobia of flying, which has been both a challenge and a source of inspiration for the Dutchman.
As we delve into Bergkamp’s successful career and his journey to overcome his fear of flying, it is clear that he is not only a talented footballer, but also a true inspiration.
Who Signed Dennis Bergkamp For Arsenal?
Dennis Bergkamp began his professional career in 1987 with Dutch club Ajax Amsterdam. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a key player in the team’s attack. His skills and goals helped lead Ajax to several domestic titles and a Champions League win in 1995. In 1996, he caught the attention of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who was looking to strengthen his team’s attack. Wenger saw something special in Bergkamp and made the decision to bring him to Arsenal for a fee of £7.5 million.
Bergkamp began his professional career with Ajax Amsterdam, where he quickly made a name for himself as one of the most promising young talents in the game. In 1992, he made the move to Italian club Inter Milan, where he played for three seasons. It was during this time that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger first caught a glimpse of Bergkamp’s potential.
Wenger was immediately impressed by the young Dutchman’s skill and grace on the pitch, and he knew that he had to have him at Arsenal. In 1995, he made the move to the London club, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Arsene Wenger “Dennis Bergkamp is one of the greatest players I have ever worked with” (source: Imago)
Bergkamp’s early career was a testament to his talent and dedication to the game. His move to Inter Milan allowed him to test himself against some of the best players in the world, and it was there that Wenger first saw his potential. With his exceptional ability and drive to succeed, Bergkamp went on to become one of the most iconic players in the history of the Premier League, and his legacy lives on to this day.
The move to the Gunners marked a new chapter in Bergkamp’s career, as he left Inter Milan in search of a fresh start after a disappointing stint in Italy. Rioch was reportedly a big fan of Bergkamp’s technical ability and vision, and was confident that he could be a key player for the team.In his first season at Arsenal, Bergkamp quickly proved his worth, scoring on his debut against Southampton and finishing the campaign with 22 goals in all competitions. He quickly became a fan favourite at the club, known for his incredible goals and assists, and his ability to create opportunities out of thin air.
Dennis Bergkamp Arsenal (source: Imago)
How Good Was Dennis Bergkamp?
There is no denying that Dennis Bergkamp was an exceptional footballer, known for his technical ability, creative flair, and clinical finishing. He was a key player for both Ajax Amsterdam and Arsenal, scoring over 300 goals and making over 500 appearances for the two clubs combined. In his 11 seasons at Arsenal, Bergkamp scored 122 goals in 423 appearances, making him one of the club’s all-time top scorers.
Bergkamp was also a key player for the Netherlands national team, making 79 appearances and scoring 37 goals. He was a vital member of the team that reached the semi-finals of the 1994 World Cup, and was widely regarded as one of the best players in the world at the time.
Despite his many accomplishments on the pitch, Bergkamp has always been humble and respectful, focusing on the team rather than individual accolades. As teammate Patrick Vieira once said, “Dennis was the best player I played with. The way he could see a pass and execute it was just unbelievable. He was a pleasure to play with and he made it easy for the rest of us.”
Dennis Bergkamp’s career statistics are impressive, with a total of 319 goals and 438 assists in all competitions. Here is a breakdown of his goals and assists by club:
- Ajax Amsterdam: 190 goals, 176 assists (283 appearances)
- Inter Milan: 22 goals, 22 assists (62 appearances)
- Arsenal: 122 goals, 140 assists (423 appearances)
Bergkamp’s goals and assists record for the Netherlands national team is also noteworthy, with 37 goals and 42 assists in 79 appearances.
In addition to his goals and assists, Bergkamp also won numerous accolades and trophies throughout his career. With Ajax Amsterdam, he won the Eredivisie title three times, the KNVB Cup twice, and the UEFA Cup once. He also won the Premier League three times, the FA Cup four times, and the Community Shield twice with Arsenal. At the international level, Bergkamp was a key member of the Netherlands team that reached the semi-finals of the 1994 World Cup, and also played in the 1998 and 2002 editions of the tournament.
Throughout his career, Dennis Bergkamp has won numerous accolades and honors for his contributions to the game. Here is a list of his major achievements:
- Eredivisie title (3 times): 1989/90, 1993/94, 1994/95
- KNVB Cup (2 times): 1992/93, 1994/95
- UEFA Cup: 1991/92
- Premier League (3 times): 1997/98, 2001/02, 2003/04
- FA Cup (4 times): 1997/98, 2001/02, 2002/03, 2004/05
- Community Shield (2 times): 1998, 1999
- PFA Team of the Year (3 times): 1997/98, 2001/02, 2002/03
- FWA Footballer of the Year (2 times): 1997/98, 2001/02
- UEFA Champions League Finalist: 2005/06
- UEFA Cup Finalist: 1991/92
- Netherlands national team: 79 appearances, 37 goals
In addition to these honours, Bergkamp has also been inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame and the Ajax Amsterdam Hall of Fame. He has received numerous individual awards for his contributions to the game. His impact on the sport is undeniable, and he will always be remembered as one of the greatest footballers in history.
Dennis Bergkamp Best Season
Dennis Bergkamp had a consistently successful career, with many standout seasons and memorable moments. However, one of his best seasons was arguably the 1997/98 campaign, in which he won the Premier League and FA Cup with Arsenal, and was named PFA Team of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year.
Some of the highlights of this season included:
- A hat-trick against Leicester City in a 5-2 victory
- A goal and an assist in a 2-0 victory over Manchester United
- Two goals and two assists in a 4-1 victory over Derby County
- A goal and an assist in a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup semi-final
- An assist in the FA Cup final, a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United
In this season, Bergkamp scored 22 goals and provided 17 assists in all competitions, making him one of the most influential players in the Premier League. His clinical finishing, creative vision, and exceptional technical ability were on full display, and he was widely considered one of the best players in the world at the time.
