Bergkamp prepares for Arsenal bow
Bergkamp prepares for Arsenal bow
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/5203954.stm
Dennis Bergkamp will have mixed emotions as he formally retires from
football with a testimonial between Arsenal and Ajax on Saturday.
The 54,000 sell-out is the first to be played at the new Emirates Stadium.
"A club like Arsenal deserves such a stadium, and I'm sorry I won't be a
part of it," said the 37-year-old.
"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 has been with the Gunners for 11 years having joined from Inter
Milan in a ￡7.5m deal in 1995.
He played 423 games for Arsenal and the match brings the last of his three
clubs head-to-head with his first, Ajax.
Bergkamp describes himself as "proud and happy" to be the focus of attention
at Arsenal's new stadium but conceded it will be strange to walk away from
the sport.
"This game is the last one and there will be a lot of things I'll miss,"
he added.
"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."
But let go he must and he intends to go out on a high.
Old team-mates such as Patrick Vieira, Ian Wright and Lee Dixon will be
playing as well as Dutch legend Johan Cruyff.
However, despite the celebratory atmosphere Bergkamp insists there will be
no slacking on his part.
"That's how I approach the game," he said.
"Every time I train I give 100% and even in a testimonial you want to win
and play well and perform and show what you can do. That has always been
the case.
"It will be a special day and it will be emotional but it's important i
can enjoy the day and hopefully I can share it with a lot of players who
I think deserve to be a part of this stadium."
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人生愁恨何能免
銷魂獨我情何限
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07/22 18:56, , 1F
07/22 18:56, 1F