Bergkamp set for farewell to Gunners
Bergkamp set for farewell to Gunners
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Friday, 21, Jul 2006 10:08
Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp says he will miss life with the Gunners ahead of his testimonial match against Ajax at the new Emirates stadium.
Bergkamp, 37, marks a new era with the first game at Arsenal's 54,000 seater stadium with his farewell match after 11 years and 423 games for the north London club.
The former Holland international admits he will feel a mixture of emotions in his final game before retiring from football on Saturday.
"A club like Arsenal deserves such a stadium, and I'm sorry I won't be a part of it," he said.
"But I had a tremendous career at Highbury and it is time to move on. I've had a great time, I really enjoyed myself. I really enjoyed my career."
Bergkamp, who has won three Premiership titles with the Gunners, added that he will have a lot of happy memories of his time in England.
"This game is the last one and there will be a lot of things I'll miss," he said.
"The dressing room, the humour, going to training and then the big things, playing in full stadiums and feeling that pressure."
"I've been playing professional football since 17 and joined Ajax at 12 so it has been part of my life for 25 years. It's the reason why I'm here in England. It will be hard to let go."
The striker was signed by Bruce Rioch for £7.5 million in 1995 to bring to an end a nightmare spell with Inter Milan.
Bergkamp's former team mates Patrick Vieira, Ian Wright, and Lee Dixon as well as former coach Johan Cruyff are among the stars set to make an appearance tomorrow afternoon.
The first half will feature players from the current squads of Arsenal and Ajax while legends from both field will make substitute appearances in the second half.