Editing Dennis Bergkamp (section)

==Club career==
===Ajax: 1986–1993===
[[File:Dennis Bergkamp 1989, Bestanddeelnr 934-4782.jpg|thumb|188x188px|Bergkamp at Ajax in 1989|left]]

Bergkamp was brought up through [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]]'s youth system, joining the club at age 11.<ref name="Times"/> Manager [[Johan Cruyff]] gave him his professional debut on 14 December 1986 against [[Roda JC Kerkrade|Roda JC]]; the match ended in a 2–0 victory for Ajax.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.vi.nl/Wedstrijden/Wedstrijd.htm?dbid=59196&typeofpage=84140 |title=Ajax 2–0 Roda JC |access-date=28 April 2012 |work=Voetbal International |language=nl }}</ref> Bergkamp scored his first senior goal for the club against [[HFC Haarlem]] on 22 February 1987 in a match Ajax won 6–0.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.vi.nl/Wedstrijden/Wedstrijd.htm?dbid=59197&typeofpage=84140 |title=Ajax 6–0 Haarlem |access-date=3 May 2012 |work=Voetbal International |language=nl }}</ref> He went on to make 23 appearances in the [[1986–87 Eredivisie|1986–87 season]], including a European debut against [[Malmö FF]] in the [[1986–87 European Cup Winners' Cup]], earning him praise.<ref name="Times"/> Ajax won the competition, beating [[1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig|Lokomotive Leipzig]] 1–0 as Bergkamp made an appearance as a substitute.<ref>{{cite news|title=1986/87: Ajax revive their traditions |url=http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/ecwc/history/season=1986/intro.html |work=[[UEFA]] |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=1 June 1987 |access-date=14 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100503063433/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/ecwc/history/season%3D1986/intro.html |archive-date=3 May 2010 }}</ref>

In later seasons, Bergkamp established himself as a first-team player for Ajax. This culminated in a period of success for the club, which won the [[Eredivisie]] title in the [[1989–90 Eredivisie|1989–90]] season for the first time in five years. Bergkamp scored 29 goals in 36 matches the following season and became the joint top scorer in the league, sharing the accolade with [[PSV Eindhoven|PSV]] striker [[Romário]].

Ajax won the [[1992 UEFA Cup Final]], beating [[Torino F.C.|Torino]] through the [[Away goals rule|away goals ruling]]. They then defeated [[SC Heerenveen|Heerenveen]] 6–2 in the final of the [[1992–93 KNVB Cup|KNVB Cup]] on 20 May 1993.<ref>{{cite news |title=1991/92: Ajax complete clean sweep |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/season=1991/index.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913143255/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/season=1991/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 September 2012 |work=[[UEFA]] |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |access-date=11 May 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ajax – sc Heerenveen |url=http://www.sc-heerenveen.nl/voetbal/wedstrijd/ajax-sc-heerenveen/?match=15523 |work=sc-heerenveen.nl |publisher=[[SC Heerenveen]] |access-date=11 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107004743/http://www.sc-heerenveen.nl/voetbal/wedstrijd/ajax-sc-heerenveen/?match=15523 |archive-date=7 November 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Bergkamp was the top scorer in the Eredivisie from 1991 to 1993 and was voted [[Dutch Footballer of the Year]] in 1992 and 1993.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.ajax.nl/Nieuws/Nieuwsarchief/Nieuws-artikel/Deze-week-17-jaar-geleden.htm | title=Deze week&nbsp;... 17 jaar geleden | work=Ajax.nl | date=11 February 2009 | access-date=11 May 2012 | language=nl | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021190014/http://www.ajax.nl/Nieuws/Nieuwsarchief/Nieuws-artikel/Deze-week-17-jaar-geleden.htm | archive-date=21 October 2012 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> In total, he scored 122 goals in 239 matches for his hometown club.

===Inter Milan: 1993–1995===
[[File:Dennis Bergkamp - FC Inter - Coppa UEFA 1993-94.jpg|thumb|upright|Bergkamp holding the [[UEFA Cup]] trophy after Inter Milan's win in the [[1994 UEFA Cup final]]]]
Bergkamp attracted the attention of several European clubs as a result of his performances for Ajax. Fellow Dutchman and then [[FC Barcelona]] Johan Cruyff, in an attempt to encourage Bergkamp to sign for Barcelona, advised him not to join Spanish rivals [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]], one of the teams said to have been interested in him, but Bergkamp was primarily interested in a move to Italy.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.elpais.com/articulo/deportes/CRUYFF/_JOHAN_/FUTBOL/HOLANDA/BERGKAMP/_DENNIS_/FUTBOLISTA/HOLANDA/FUTBOL_CLUB_BARCELONA_/CLUB_DE_FUTBOL/elpepidep/19930102elpepidep_2/Tes|title=Cruyff: "¿Qué va a hacer Bergkamp en el Real Madrid?" |date=2 January 1993 |access-date=12 December 2011 |newspaper=[[El País]] |last=Carbonell |first=Rafael |language=es |location=Barcelona}}</ref><ref name="FourFourTwo">{{cite web |url=http://fourfourtwo.com/interviews/one-on-one/371/article.aspx |title=Dennis Bergkamp – One-on-One – Interviews |access-date=12 December 2011 |work=[[FourFourTwo]]|date=February 2011 }}</ref> Bergkamp considered [[Serie A]] "the biggest league at the time" but after the success of fellow countrymen [[Marco van Basten]], [[Ruud Gullit]] and [[Frank Rijkaard]] at [[AC Milan]] he preferred a move to either [[Juventus FC|Juventus]] or [[Inter Milan]] to help distinguish himself.<ref name="FourFourTwo"/> On 16 February 1993, Bergkamp agreed a £7.1&nbsp;million move to the latter club in a deal which included his Ajax teammate [[Wim Jonk]].<ref name="Inter">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-bergkamp-joins-inter-for-71m-pounds-1473409.html|title=Football: Bergkamp joins Inter for 7.1m pounds|date=16 February 1993 |access-date=12 December 2011 |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |last=Haylett |first=Trever }}</ref> Upon signing, Bergkamp said Inter "met all my demands. The most important thing for me was the stadium, the people at the club and their style of play."<ref name="Inter"/>

Bergkamp made his debut against [[A.C. Reggiana 1919|Reggiana]] on 29 August 1993 at the [[San Siro]] in a 2–1 victory.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1993/agosto/30/Jonk_Toto_fanno_ridere_Inter_co_0_93083010915.shtml|title=Jonk e Toto' fanno ridere l' Inter |date=30 August 1993 |access-date=13 December 2011 |publisher=[[Corriere della Sera]] |last=Giancarlo|first=Padovan |language=it |location=Milan }}</ref> He scored his first goal for the club against [[U.S. Cremonese|Cremonese]] in September 1993 but had a difficult time against the highly organised and resolute Italian defences, scoring a further seven goals in the league. This was partly due to manager [[Osvaldo Bagnoli]]'s inability to find a stable forward partnership, preferring Bergkamp in a three with [[Rubén Sosa]] and [[Salvatore Schillaci]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-wright-faces-charge-fa-awaits-linesmans-decision-1506224.html|title=Football: Wright faces charge: FA awaits linesman's decision|date=23 November 1993 |access-date=14 December 2011 |newspaper=The Independent |last=Winter |first=Henry |location=London}}</ref> Inter's poor league form culminated in the sacking of Bagnoli in February 1994 and his replacement by [[Gianpiero Marini]], a member of [[Italy national football team|Italy]]'s [[1982 FIFA World Cup]]-winning squad.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1309&dat=19940209&id=Fd9OAAAAIBAJ&pg=3282,3220664|title=Inter sack coach Bagnoli|date=9 February 1994 |access-date=14 December 2011 |work=[[New Straits Times]]| location=Milan}}</ref> The club finished 13th in [[1993–94 Serie A|Serie A]], one point away from relegation, but enjoyed success in the [[1993–94 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]], beating [[FC Red Bull Salzburg|Austria Salzburg]] in the [[1994 UEFA Cup Final|final]] over two legs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=1993/overview/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110121228/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=1993/overview/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 November 2011 |title=1993/94: Inter reclaim UEFA Cup |work=[[UEFA]] |date=1 June 1994 |access-date=13 December 2011}}</ref> Bergkamp was the competition's joint top scorer with eight goals and scored a hat-trick against [[FC Rapid București|Rapid București]] in the first round.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1993/settembre/17/Bergkamp_Baggio_magie_10_co_0_93091713338.shtml|title=Bergkamp Baggio, magie da 10 |date=17 September 1993 |access-date=14 December 2011 |newspaper=Corriere della Sera |last=Gherarducci |first=Mario |language=it |location=Milan}}</ref>

In Bergkamp's [[1994–95 Inter Milan season|second season at Inter]], the club changed managers again, appointing [[Ottavio Bianchi]]. Bergkamp endured a disappointing campaign,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/aebja5/remembering-the-failed-serie-a-careers-of-arsenals-invincibles-generation.html|title=Remembering The Failed Serie A Careers Of Arsenal's Invincibles Generation}}{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> troubled with stress injuries and fatigue from the [[1994 FIFA World Cup|1994 World Cup]]. He managed to score 5 goals in 26 appearances. Off the field, Bergkamp's relationship with the Italian press and fans became uncomfortable. His shy persona and his propensity to go home after matches was interpreted as apathy.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/unravelling-the-enigma-that-is-dennis-bergkamp-1587595.html|title=Unravelling the enigma that is Dennis Bergkamp|date=21 June 1995 |access-date=14 December 2011 |newspaper=The Independent |last=Winner |first=David |location=London }}</ref> Because of his poor performance on the pitch, one Italian publication renamed their award given to the worst performance of the week, ''L'asino della settimana'' (Donkey of the Week) to ''Bergkamp della settimana''.<ref name="FourFourTwo"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2000/06/27/che-incubi-milano-il-riscatto-dei-ripudiati.html|title=Che incubi a Milano Il riscatto dei ripudiati |date=27 June 2000 |access-date=14 December 2011 |newspaper=[[la Repubblica]] |last=Marrese |first=Emilio |language=it }}</ref> Inter ended the [[1994–95 Serie A|league season]] in sixth position and failed to retain the [[1994–95 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]], with the club eliminated in the second round. In February 1995, the club was purchased by Italian businessman and fan [[Massimo Moratti]], who promised to invest heavily in the squad.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.corrieredellosport.it/accaddeoggi/2011/02/18-156431/1995,+Moratti+compra+l%27Inter |title=1995, Moratti compra l'Inter |date=18 February 2011 |access-date=14 December 2011 |publisher=[[Corriere dello Sport]] |last=Marrese |first=Emilio |language=it |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203020340/http://www.corrieredellosport.it/accaddeoggi/2011/02/18-156431/1995,+Moratti+compra+l%27Inter |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Bergkamp's future in the first team was uncertain following the signing of [[Maurizio Ganz]] a month after the takeover.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1995/marzo/29/Ganz_primo_colpo_Moratti_co_0_95032914360.shtml|title=Ganz, il primo colpo di Moratti |date=29 March 1995 |access-date=14 December 2011 |newspaper=Corriere della Sera |agency=BBC |language=it }}</ref>

===Arsenal: 1995–2006===
As Moratti prepared to make wholesale changes at the club, Bergkamp left Inter and signed with [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] in June 1995 for a transfer fee estimated at £7.5&nbsp;million.<ref name="arsenal">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rioch-signs-bergkamp-to-signal-new-era-1587607.html|title=Rioch signs Bergkamp to signal new era |date=21 June 1995 |access-date=9 December 2011 |newspaper=The Independent |last=Shaw |first=Phil | location=London}}</ref> He became manager [[Bruce Rioch]]'s first signing at Arsenal and broke the club's prior transfer fee record of £2.5&nbsp;million.<ref name="arsenal"/> Bergkamp's arrival at the club was significant not only because he was an established international footballer who looked to have his best years ahead of him but also because of his perceived difference in style with the Arsenal team of the 90's who had become a defensive and low scoring team under [[George Graham]], plagued by a drinking culture.

On the opening day of the [[1995–96 FA Premier League|1995–96]] league season, Bergkamp made his full debut against [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]]. He initially struggled to adapt to the English game and failed to score in the club's next six league matches, prompting ridicule by the national press. On 23 September 1995, Bergkamp scored his first and second goals for Arsenal against [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] at [[Arsenal Stadium|Highbury]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/dennis-finds-his-menace-1602734.html|title=Dennis finds his menace |date=24 September 1995 |access-date=9 December 2011 |work=The Independent |last=Houston |first=Bob |location=London}}</ref> Bergkamp ended his first season with 33 appearances and 11 goals, helping Arsenal finish fifth and earn a place in the [[1996–97 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]] by scoring the winner against [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]] on the final day of the season.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/bergkamp-sends-arsenal-into-europe-1345860.html|title=Bergkamp sends Arsenal into Europe |date=6 May 1996 |access-date=9 December 2011 |newspaper=The Independent |last=Chesshyre |first=Tom |location=London}}</ref>

The appointment of [[Arsène Wenger]] as Arsenal manager in September 1996 marked a turning point in Bergkamp's career.<ref name="wenger">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/apr/25/arsenal|title=On a higher plane |date=25 April 2004 |access-date=13 December 2011 |newspaper=The Guardian |last=Lawrence |first=Amy| location=London}}</ref> Wenger, who had been a successful manager in France and Japan, recognised Bergkamp's talent and wanted to use him as a fulcrum of the team's forward play.<ref name="wenger"/> Both were advocates of a continental style of attacking football, and Wenger's decision to impose a strict fitness and health regimen pleased Bergkamp.<ref name="wenger"/> Despite making fewer appearances in the [[1996–97 Arsenal F.C. season|1996–97 season]], Bergkamp was more influential in the first team, providing 13 assists. Against [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] in November 1996, he set up an 88th-minute winner for captain [[Tony Adams (footballer)|Tony Adams]] to volley in using his left foot. He then scored in injury time, controlling a high ball with his left foot and evading his marker [[Stephen Carr]] in a tight area to set up his shot.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-bergkamp-and-adams-break-spirited-spurs-1354105.html|title=Football: Bergkamp and Adams break spirited Spurs |date=25 November 1996 |access-date=10 December 2011 |newspaper=The Independent |last=Haylett |first=Trever | location=London}}</ref> Bergkamp received his first [[Penalty card#Red card|red card]] against [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] in January 1997 for a high tackle on midfielder [[Paul Bracewell]] in the 26th minute.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/grim-for-grizzly-adams-1282883.html|title=Grim for grizzly Adams|date=12 January 1997 |access-date=10 December 2011 |work=The Independent |last=Turnbull |first=Simon | location=London}}</ref> Arsenal went on to lose the match 1–0, but a run of 8 wins in their final 16 matches gave the club a third-place finish, missing out on a spot in the [[1997–98 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League]] via goal difference.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-three-gunner-salute-for-baseball-ground-1261073.html|title=Football: Three Gunner salute for Baseball Ground |date=12 May 1997 |access-date=10 December 2011 |newspaper=The Independent |last=Shaw |first=Phil | location=London}}</ref>

Bergkamp was instrumental [[1997–98 Arsenal F.C. season|the following season]] in helping Arsenal complete a domestic league and cup [[Double (association football)|double]]. He became the club's top scorer with 22 goals and recorded a strike rate of 0.57. Arsenal's achievement was all the more astonishing given the team, written off by many in December 1997, had made ground on reigning Premier League champions [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/77544.stm |title=Title run-in: United steel or Arsenal grit? |date=30 April 1998 |access-date=12 December 2011 |work=BBC News }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-1013159-wengers-sandcastle-under-siege.do |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505152122/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-1013159-wengers-sandcastle-under-siege.do |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 May 2013 |title=Wenger's sandcastle under siege |date=5 November 2001 |access-date=12 December 2011 |work=[[Evening Standard]] |last=Stammers |first=Steve |location=London }}</ref> Early in the season away to [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] at [[Filbert Street]] on 23 August 1997, Bergkamp scored his first [[Hat-trick#Association football|hat-trick]] for the club.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-wright-faces-more-fa-action-1247722.html|title=Football: Wright faces more FA action |date=28 August 1997 |access-date=10 December 2011 |newspaper=The Independent |last=Shaw |first=Phil | location=London}}</ref> The third goal, which he regarded as his favourite for Arsenal,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/ggg4-bergkamp-v-leicester-city-1997 |title=GGG4: Bergkamp v Leicester City, 1997 |date=28 July 2009 |access-date=11 December 2011 |work=Arsenal.com }}</ref> required just one touch to control the ball in the penalty box, another to flick it past his marker [[Matt Elliott (footballer)|Matt Elliott]] before juggling it with his feet and shooting past goalkeeper [[Kasey Keller]]. After the match, Leicester manager [[Martin O'Neill]] was gracious enough to admit Bergkamp's was "the best hat-trick I've ever seen".<ref>Palmer (2008), p. 73.</ref> In an [[1997–98 FA Cup|FA Cup]] quarter-final replay against [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] on 17 March 1998, Bergkamp was sent off for elbowing midfielder [[Steve Lomas]] and missed three matches due to suspension.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/66693.stm |title=Arsenal and Sheffield United through on penalties |date=18 March 1998 |access-date=11 December 2011 |work=BBC News}}</ref> He played no further part in Arsenal's season after overstretching his hamstring against [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] on 29 April 1998, missing the [[1998 FA Cup Final]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/85823.stm |title=Arsenal near title |date=30 April 1998 |access-date=11 December 2011 |work=BBC News }}</ref> Bergkamp was consoled with the [[PFA Players' Player of the Year]] award, becoming only the third non-British player to be recognised by his fellow professionals as the outstanding performer in English football.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/74451.stm |title=Bergkamp honoured by PFA |date=6 April 1998 |access-date=11 December 2011 |work=BBC News}}</ref>

After an effective [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998 World Cup]] campaign with the national team, Bergkamp had another productive season in [[1998–99 Arsenal F.C. season|1998–99]]. Although Arsenal failed to retain the [[1998–99 FA Premier League|Premier League]] after losing the title on the final day of the season to Manchester United, Bergkamp was the club's second-top scorer in all competitions, with 16 goals, and finished the season as the top assist provider in the Premier League, alongside [[Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink]], with 13 assists.<ref name="1998–99 Premier League Season">{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/history/1998-99 |title=1998/99 Season Review: Man Utd seal the treble |publisher=Premier League |access-date=20 October 2016 |archive-date=13 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913184554/https://www.premierleague.com/history/1998-99 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Arsenal were also defeated in a FA Cup [[1998–99 FA Cup#Semi-finals|semi-final replay]] against Manchester United in April 1999.<ref name="FACup"/> With the score 1–1 heading into injury time, Arsenal were awarded a penalty after midfielder [[Ray Parlour]] was brought down by [[Phil Neville]] inside the 18-yard box. Bergkamp took the penalty shot but it was saved by goalkeeper [[Peter Schmeichel]]. In the second half of [[Overtime (sports)#Association football|extra time]], [[Ryan Giggs]] scored the winner, a goal regarded by many as the greatest in the competition's history.<ref name="FACup">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/apr/15/match.sport3?INTCMP=SRCH|title=Schmeichel takes flight as Giggs strips Arsenal bare |date=15 April 1999 |access-date=11 December 2011 |newspaper=The Guardian |last=Thorpe |first=Martin |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/891126/the-fa-cup%27s-greatest-goals?cc=5739 |title=The FA Cup's Greatest Goals |date=11 March 2011 |access-date=11 December 2011 |publisher=ESPN Soccernet |last=Carter |first=Jon |archive-date=18 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110318161502/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/891126/the-fa-cup%27s-greatest-goals?cc=5739 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_united/s/58/58639_giggs_goal_is_greatest_fa_cup_moment.html |title=Giggs' goal is greatest FA Cup moment |date=15 May 2003 |access-date=11 December 2011 |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |archive-date=21 April 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130421010917/http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/sport/football/manchester_united/s/58/58639_giggs_goal_is_greatest_fa_cup_moment.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> After this miss, Bergkamp did not take another penalty for the remainder of his career.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/mesut-ozil-could-be-like-dennis-bergkamp-and-never-take-a-penalty-again-says-arsene-wenger-9144082.html|title='Mesut Ozil could be like Dennis Bergkamp and never take a penalty again,' says Arsene Wenger|date=21 February 2014|work=The Independent}}</ref>

[[File:Dennis Bergkamp.jpg|thumb|270x270px|Bergkamp playing for [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] in 2001]]

The [[1999–2000 Arsenal F.C. season|1999–2000 season]] proved to be a frustrating one for both Arsenal and Bergkamp. The club finished second in the league, 18 points behind Manchester United, and lost in the [[2000 UEFA Cup Final]] to Turkish opponents [[Galatasaray S.K. (football)|Galatasaray]] on penalties.<ref name=2000UEFACupFinal>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/752751.stm |title=Penalty heartbreak for Arsenal |website=BBC News |date=17 May 2000 |access-date=27 May 2020}}</ref> The departure of compatriot [[Marc Overmars]] and French midfielder [[Emmanuel Petit]] in the close season led to speculation over Bergkamp's future.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/936020.stm |title=Bergkamp future still uncertain |date=21 September 2000 |access-date=11 December 2011 |work=BBC News}}</ref> He ultimately agreed terms on a contract extension in December 2000.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/1090298.stm |title=Bergkamp and Parlour agree deals |date=28 December 2000 |access-date=11 December 2011 |work=BBC News }}</ref> Despite an array of new signings made in the [[2000–01 Arsenal F.C. season|2000–01 season]], Arsenal were runners-up in the league for a third year in succession.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1310320.stm |title=Arsenal outgun Leeds |date=5 May 2001 |access-date=11 December 2011 |work=BBC News }}</ref> The emergence of [[Thierry Henry]] and [[Sylvain Wiltord]] as the main [[Forward (association football)|strikers]] saw Bergkamp's first-team opportunities limited as a result. He was used as a late substitute in [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]'s win over Arsenal in the [[2001 FA Cup Final]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/may/13/match.sport?INTCMP=SRCH|title=Owen spikes the Gunners |date=13 May 2001 |access-date=11 December 2011 |work=The Guardian |last=Wilson |first=Paul| location=London}}</ref>

Success finally came in the [[2001–02 Arsenal F.C. season|2001–02 season]]. Arsenal regained the league, beating Manchester United at [[Old Trafford]] in the penultimate game of the season to complete the club's second double under Wenger; Arsenal defeated [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] 2–0 to win the [[2001–02 FA Cup|FA Cup]] four days prior.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/3027377/Simply-champion-Arsenal.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/3027377/Simply-champion-Arsenal.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Simply champion, Arsenal |date=8 May 2002 |access-date=12 December 2011 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |last=Winter |first=Henry }}{{cbignore}}</ref> Bergkamp played in 33 league matches, setting up 15 goals, one of which was against Juventus in the [[2001–02 UEFA Champions League#Group D 2|second group stage]] of the Champions League. Holding off two markers, he twisted and turned before feeding the ball to [[Freddie Ljungberg]] in the penalty box to score.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/dec/05/championsleague.sport|title=Ljungberg at the double |date=5 December 2001 |access-date=12 December 2011 |work=The Guardian |last=Lacey |first=David |location=London }}</ref> Bergkamp headed in the winner against Liverpool in a FA Cup fourth-round tie on 27 January 2002, but was shown a red card for a two-footed lunge on defender [[Jamie Carragher]], who himself was sent off for throwing a coin into the crowd.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1780997.stm |title=Sweet revenge for Arsenal |date=27 January 2002 |access-date=11 December 2011 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> He was subsequently banned for three matches (two league, one FA Cup round).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2429966/Arsenal-hit-by-Bergkamp-ban.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2429966/Arsenal-hit-by-Bergkamp-ban.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Arsenal hit by Bergkamp ban|date=4 February 2002 |access-date=12 December 2011 |work=Daily Telegraph |last=Wallace |first=Sam }}{{cbignore}}</ref> Bergkamp appealed for his ban, but was unsuccessful.<ref>{{cite news | title=Bergkamp appeal turned down | url=http://www.the-fa.org/newscontent.asp?artid=2839 | work=The Football Association | date=4 February 2002 | access-date=17 July 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020222011434/http://www.the-fa.org/newscontent.asp?artid=2839 | archive-date=22 February 2002 }}</ref> He made his return against [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] on 3 March 2002. Early in the match, Arsenal midfielder [[Robert Pires]] played a low pass from the left flank to Bergkamp in the edge of the opponent area with his back to goal. Under pressure from his marker [[Nikos Dabizas]], Bergkamp controlled the ball with one flick and went around the other side before placing the ball precisely into the bottom right-hand corner to score. Wenger described the goal as "unbelievable",<ref name="Newcastle">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2431805/Newcastle-laid-bare-by-Bergkamp.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2431805/Newcastle-laid-bare-by-Bergkamp.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Newcastle laid bare by Bergkamp|date=3 March 2002 |access-date=12 December 2011 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |last=Wallace |first=Sam }}{{cbignore}}</ref> adding "It was not only a magnificent goal but a very important one – I enjoyed it a lot".<ref name="Newcastle" /> Bergkamp featured in nine out of the last ten league games, forming a productive partnership with Ljungberg.<ref name="Tele">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/3027104/Ljungberg-has-will-to-win.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/3027104/Ljungberg-has-will-to-win.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Ljungberg has will to win |date=3 May 2002 |access-date=12 December 2011 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |last=Ley |first=John}}{{cbignore}}</ref>{{quote box
| width = 25%
| align = right
| quote = "You can't blame anyone for that. You just have to accept that Bergkamp did a beautiful thing."</p>
| source = [[Sir Bobby Robson]] on Dennis Bergkamp's goal against Newcastle United in March 2002.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/alansmith/2321419/The-brilliance-of-Bergkamp.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/alansmith/2321419/The-brilliance-of-Bergkamp.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=The brilliance of Bergkamp |date=18 September 2007 |access-date=10 December 2011 |work=The Daily Telegraph |last=Smith |first=Alan }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

}}[[File:Dennis Bergkamp cropped.JPG|thumb|Bergkamp with Arsenal in 2003|left|224x224px]]

Bergkamp reached a personal landmark during the [[2002–03 Arsenal F.C. season|2002–03 season]], scoring his 100th goal for Arsenal against [[Oxford United F.C.|Oxford United]] in a [[2002–03 FA Cup|FA Cup]] third-round tie on 4 January 2003.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/2607165.stm |title=Arsenal end Oxford dream |date=4 January 2003 |access-date=12 December 2011 |work=BBC Sport }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/2527171.stm |title=Bergkamp reaches milestone |date=4 January 2003 |access-date=12 December 2011 |work=BBC Sport }}</ref> In the league, Arsenal failed to retain the championship despite having led by eight points in March 2003.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/2992107.stm |title=Ten weeks that turned the title |date=4 May 2003 |access-date=12 December 2011 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> However, they did win the FA Cup for a second successive year, beating Southampton in the [[2003 FA Cup Final]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/may/18/match.facup|title=Pires aim is true for muted Gunners |date=18 May 2003 |access-date=12 December 2011 |work=The Guardian |last=Wilson |first=Paul |location=London }}</ref> On 20 July 2003, Bergkamp signed a one-year extension at the club.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/3081441.stm |title=Bergkamp signs new deal |date=20 July 2003 |access-date=12 December 2011 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> The [[2003–04 Arsenal F.C. season|2003–04]] season ended on a high point for Bergkamp as Arsenal reclaimed the league title, becoming the first English team in more than a century to go through the entire domestic [[The Invincibles (football)|league season unbeaten]]. Against Leicester City in the final league match of the campaign with the score tied at 1–1, Bergkamp set up the winner with a pass to captain [[Patrick Vieira]]. Vieira rounded the goalkeeper and scored.<ref name="Invincibles">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2378953/Arsenal-join-the-Invincibles.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2378953/Arsenal-join-the-Invincibles.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Arsenal join the Invincibles|date=16 May 2004 |access-date=13 December 2011 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |last=Barclay |first=Patrick}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The team, dubbed "The Invincibles"<ref name="Invincibles"/> did not achieve similar dominance in Europe; Arsenal were beaten by Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the Champions League over [[Two-legged tie|two legs]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/champions_league/3593083.stm |title=Arsenal 1–2 Chelsea |date=6 April 2004 |access-date=13 December 2011 |work=BBC Sport }}</ref> Bergkamp committed himself to Arsenal at the end of the season, signing a further extension to his contract.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/3708777.stm |title=Bergkamp agrees new deal |date=12 May 2004 |access-date=13 December 2011 |work=BBC Sport }}</ref>

Bergkamp started in 29 league matches in the [[2004–05 Arsenal F.C. season|2004–05 season]], but Arsenal's title defence ended unsuccessfully. The team finished second, 12 points behind Chelsea. At home against Middlesbrough on 22 August 2004, Bergkamp acted as [[Captain (association football)|captain]] for the injured Vieira in a match where Arsenal came back from 1–3 down to win 5–3 and equal [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]]'s record of 42 league matches undefeated.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/aug/23/match.arsenal|title=Gunners have all the answers to biggest test |date=23 August 2004 |access-date=13 December 2011 |work=The Guardian |last=McCarra |first=Kevin| location=London}}</ref> Against [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]] in the [[2004–05 FA Cup|FA Cup]] on 19 February 2005, Bergkamp was shown a straight red card by referee [[Neale Barry]] for shoving defender [[Danny Cullip]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/4259689.stm |title=Arsenal 1–1 Sheff Utd|date=19 February 2005 |access-date=13 December 2011 |work=BBC Sport }}</ref> His appeal of the decision was rejected by [[The Football Association]] (FA), meaning he missed the club's next three domestic games.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-16813823-bergkamp-loses-red-card-appeal.do |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912091709/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-16813823-bergkamp-loses-red-card-appeal.do |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 September 2012 |title=Bergkamp loses red card appeal |date=23 February 2005 |access-date=13 December 2011 |work=Evening Standard |location=London }}</ref> In Arsenal's final home match of the season, against [[Everton F.C.|Everton]], Bergkamp had a [[Man of the match#Association football|man of the match]] game, scoring once and assisting three of the goals in a 7–0 win.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/may/12/match.sport|title=Rampant Gunners in seventh heaven |date=12 May 2005 |access-date=13 December 2011 |work=The Guardian |last=Brodkin |first=Jon |location=London }}</ref> Bergkamp was moved by Arsenal supporters chanting "one more year", describing it as "quite special". "They obviously feel there is another year left in me, so that's great as it shows they're really behind me," he said.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/4533683.stm |title=Bergkamp made to wait on new deal |date=12 May 2005 |access-date=13 December 2011 |work=BBC Sport }}</ref> Following Arsenal's penalty shootout victory over Manchester United in the [[2005 FA Cup Final]], he signed a one-year contract extension.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/4569757.stm |title=Bergkamp set to stay at Arsenal |date=21 May 2005 |access-date=13 December 2011 |work=BBC Sport }}</ref>

[[File:Emirates Stadium Arsenal.jpg|thumb|200px|The [[Emirates Stadium]] filling up during Bergkamp's testimonial match between Arsenal and Ajax in July 2006]]

The team finished fourth in the league in Bergkamp's [[2005–06 Arsenal F.C. season|final season at Arsenal]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4957444.stm |title=Arsenal 4–2 Wigan|date=7 May 2006 |access-date=13 December 2011 |work=BBC Sport }}</ref> Bergkamp scored an injury-time winner against [[FC Thun|Thun]] on Matchday 1 of the [[2005–06 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]], having come on as a substitute in the 72nd minute.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2365306/Bergkamp-just-beats-clock.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2365306/Bergkamp-just-beats-clock.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Bergkamp just beats clock |date=15 September 2005 |access-date=13 December 2011 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |last=Winter |first=Henry}}{{cbignore}}</ref> After much campaigning from Arsenal supporters, the club designated one of its Highbury matchday themes, organised to commemorate the stadium's final season as home of Arsenal, to Dennis Bergkamp.<ref name="DB">{{cite web |url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/turn-highbury-orange-for-dennis-bergkand-day- |title=Turn Highbury orange for Dennis Bergkamp Day! |date=3 April 2006 |access-date=13 December 2011 |work=Arsenal.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603204737/http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/turn-highbury-orange-for-dennis-bergkand-day- |archive-date=3 June 2013}}</ref> "Bergkamp Day" took place on 15 April 2006 and saw Arsenal up against [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]]. It celebrated the player's contribution to Arsenal; fans were given commemorative orange "DB10" T-shirts – the colour of his national team, his initials and his squad number.<ref name="DB"/> Bergkamp himself came on as a second-half substitute and set up the winning Robert Pires goal moments after [[Nigel Quashie]] had levelled the scoreline. Fittingly, Bergkamp's 89th-minute goal proved to be his last for Arsenal in competitive football.<ref name="Indy"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4890626.stm |title=Arsenal 3–1 West Brom |date=15 April 2006 |access-date=13 December 2011 |work=BBC Sport }}</ref> Bergkamp was an unused substitute in his final match for Arsenal against [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] in the [[2006 UEFA Champions League Final|Champions League final]]; Barcelona scored twice in the last 13 minutes to overturn Arsenal's early lead and win the competition.<ref name=2006ChampionsLeagueFinal>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4773353.stm |title=Barcelona 2–1 Arsenal |website=BBC Sport |date=17 May 2006 |access-date=27 May 2020}}</ref>

Bergkamp was the focus of the first match at Arsenal's new ground, the [[Emirates Stadium]]. On 22 July 2006, a [[testimonial match|testimonial]] was played in his honour at the new stadium as Arsenal played his old club Ajax. Bergkamp kicked off the match with his father, Wim, and son, Mitchel. All four children acted as the [[player escort|match's mascots]]. The first half was played by members of Arsenal and Ajax's current squads, while the second was played by famous ex-players from both sides, including [[Ian Wright]], Patrick Vieira, Marc Overmars, Emmanuel Petit and [[David Seaman]] for Arsenal; and Johan Cruyff, [[Marco van Basten]], [[Danny Blind]], [[Frank de Boer|Frank]] and [[Ronald de Boer]] for Ajax. Arsenal won the match 2–1 with goals from Henry and [[Nwankwo Kanu]]. [[Klaas-Jan Huntelaar]] had earlier opened the scoring for Ajax, making him the first goalscorer at the Emirates Stadium.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arsenal.com/matchreport.asp?thisNav=fixtures&fxid=295613 |title=Match Report: Bergkamp Testimonial |work=Arsenal.com |access-date=27 July 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060822024220/http://www.arsenal.com/matchreport.asp?thisNav=fixtures&fxid=295613 |archive-date=22 August 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref>