Bergkamp Wonderland

As all the home games this season have been given a ‘theme’, to celebrate the final season at Highbury, it was only a matter of time before ‘Bergkamp Day’ appeared, and didn’t we time it just right.

On a day when everyone wore orange to show the non-flying Dutchman how much we love him and carried banners saying ‘Bergkamp doesn’t fly, he walks on water’ & ‘All flights at Heathrow have been grounded as a sign of respect’ and more simply ‘Bergkamp Wonderland’, the Dutch master scored what could be his last goal for the club……….and what a beauty.

Early in the game we were guilty of being over elaborate again and it could have proved costly when Nigel Quashie smashed a 25 yarder only inches wide.

Arsenal took the lead shortly before half time when and quick one-two between Henry & Hleb on the edge of the box saw Hleb clean through, albeit a little wide of goal, no matter, the tricky winger took aim and fired, smashing the ball past the waving West Brom keeper.

It was well into the second half when the crowd got the moment they’d been waiting for, Dennis Bergkamp took to the pitch once more on the day that celebrated his illustrious career, the crowd went wild, but the rousing redition of ‘Bergkamp Wonderland’ must have distracted the players slightly because while we were only a few lines into the song, up popped Quashie again but this time found his target. Gutted.

However, all’s well that end’s well. Only a few minutes later Bergkamp got his first taste of action, winning the ball back on Albion’s deadball line after Pires’ shot was parried. DB10 was quick and decisive, flicking the ball past two defenders back to Bobby who dispatched it at the second time of asking. Phew.

Then came the most apt moment of the season. Manu Eboue found the Iceman in space 20 yards from goal, we all knew what was going to happen, including the keeper, I was in the aisle halfway down the NorthBank steps jumping for joy before Dennis had even kicked it because I knew what was coming from the Dutch Master. He didn’t disapoint.

One flick of that magic right boot saw the ball bend sweetly into to top conrner leaving the keeper with no chance. Pandamonium. ‘WE GOT DENNIS BERGKAMP WE GOT DENNIS BERGKAMP’ was the cry from all sides of the area, and with that the amazing career of the Premiership’s greatest import came a little closer to an end.

We will always remember Dennis Bergkamp, the way he conducted himself and everything he did for our club.

‘THERE’S ONLY ONE DENNIS BERGKAMP, ONE DENNIS BERGKAMP, WE’RE WALKING ALONG, SINGING A SONG, WALKING IN A BERGKAMP WONDERLAND’

Anyone who hasn’t seen the goal click here.