Arsenal striker Dennis Bergkamp hopes to end his playing career when Arsenal bid farewell to their historic Highbury home in north London next season.
Bergkamp, 36 in May, proved he still has what it takes to succeed in the Premiership when he scored Arsenal’s winner in Sunday’s 1-0 win against Newcastle at Highbury with a sublime finish.
Arsenal are set to move to their new, multimillion-pound home at nearby Ashburton Grove at the end of the next campaign but whether the former Dutch international will then still be a part of their plans is uncertain.
Bergkamp arrived at Highbury 10 years ago for £7,5-million and his capture from Inter Milan was arguably manager Bruce Rioch’s most important decision during his short period in charge of Arsenal before Arsene Wenger took over in 1996.
”As for the future, I feel good,” said Bergkamp, whose fear of flying has forced him out of several key Champions League matches for the club over the years.
”It would be nice to have another year, to experience the last year at Highbury. It has been a big part of my life. But we will see. Everything will be sorted out at the end of the season.
”My decision would be to have another year. But I don’t know what will happen. Sometimes it is difficult to know what the boss and the club are thinking. I am in my 10th year at the club.
”As for a testimonial, we are thinking about it. But I am still focusing on my playing career and we will have to see what happens.”
Added Bergkamp: ”A testimonial, as I see it, is the last game of your career.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s prolific France international striker Thierry Henry backed Bergkamp’s call for another year at Highbury.
”He fancies playing another year; I also fancy him playing for another year. Without saying anything bad about anyone, when Dennis plays, I only concentrate on going behind the defence,” Henry said.
”When he is not there, I have to drop back. I have played with a lot of great players and he is amazing. He always has a great desire when he is on the pitch and you can never complain about him.
”At his age, to be doing what he is doing, it is unbelievable. I don’t know if I will still be playing at his age. He is a great guy.”
Arsenal’s latest win reduced the gap on leaders Chelsea to 10 points, still a commanding advantage, but Bergkamp refused to concede the title just yet.
”It was so important to get a result against Newcastle. As for the gap between us and Chelsea, you never know. It will be difficult but we try not to look at the table.
”We need to start playing like we used to. We can’t do anything about Chelsea. We have lost too many points and that is our own fault.” — Sapa-AFP