Dennis Bergkamp

[Brother]

Paying tribute to one of, if not THE best foreign footballer to come and play in The Premiership. A true role model as both a footballer and a player that you don't necessarily have to be an Arsenal fan to appreciate. He has been a player I have admired for many years and it is a great loss to the game to have to see him retire.

The testimonial today was a real pleasure to watch. Seeing old Arsenal legends and even Johann Cruyff and Marco Van Basten out there shows you how much he was respected by his peers. Dennis, you were a legend and you will be missed.

[charliepanayi]

He's probably the best player to have played at Arsenal in my time supporting them (the only other contender being Henry) and the best we've had since Liam Brady. Plus the fact he partially helped kick start the late 90s changes at Arsenal which led to Wenger and our recent years of success. My favourite goals of his are the obvious ones, his astonishing goal against Newcastle in 2002, and his last minute winner for Holland in the 1998 World Cup quarter-final. We'll definitely miss him at Arsenal - so long Dennis.

[Enemy Airship]

Those two goals are easily the greatest goals I've ever seen. He had such a majestic touch. He was always my favourite player to watch. Now I need to find a new icon :(

I even have his photo on my wall! He was the reason I followed Holland as my second international team. He is just a total legend. A dedicated servant of Arsenal and a massive role model for just about anyone in football.

I think he's the only player to have first, second and third place in Match of the Day's Goal of the Month competition too. That just says it all really :D

[enfilade]

Damn, I just paid a mini tribute to him in the Premiership thread. I remember seeing Bergkamp day at Highbury on MOTD. When I saw him come on I was just willing him to score. And what a fucking goal.

If the goal you talk of is the one against Argentina, then I fully agree. That goal was one of such unparallelled granduer that it made Owen's spectacular effort look mundane. The control he has in bringing a ball down in the air and finishing is nothing short of unique.

He was certainly one of the first great Europeans to come and play in this country. It seems fitting that it takes a player of Henry's status to ease the passing. Otherwise, as with the case with Alan Shearer, he would be even more sorely missed by the Gooners. Long live DB.

PS Him and Pete Schemichel were always my favourite foreigners in how they dealt with the press. They had such grace and charm - and more importantly, good humour - which has been replaced by the arrogance of Mourinho's bunch and the stoicism of all things Benitez. Joys.