MX23RW : Wednesday, December 25 15:39:37| >> :120:30805:30805:
[monks data]
Newcastle logo
Premier League
Mar 2, 2002 at 3pm UK
 
Arsenal logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-2)
Campbell (41'), Bergkamp (11')

On this day: Dennis Bergkamp scores 'best ever Arsenal goal'

Thirteen years ago today, Dennis Bergkamp scored what was later voted as Arsenal's best ever goal by the club's supporters.

The likes of Thierry Henry and Wayne Rooney may beg to differ, but it's not too far-fetched to say that there is perhaps no other player that has scored more Premier League goals of such high quality than Dennis Bergkamp.

His classy goals at Filbert Street in 1997 live long in the memory, as does his curling effort away at Sunderland the same year - the list goes on.

However, it was his effort 13 years ago today that was perhaps the best of the Dutchman's 87 Premier League goals.

Injury-hit Arsenal made the trip to St James' Park with just two points separating themselves in second and hosts Newcastle United in fourth spot. Consequently, a close encounter was anticipated.

Yet, with the game just 11 minutes old, a moment of magic from Bergkamp put the North Londoners in command.

Patrick Vieira won possession, before picking out Bergkamp deep inside Arsenal territory. He in turn found Robert Pires, with the winger proceeding to carry possession into the Newcastle half.

Looking for support, the Frenchman located and subsequently found an advancing Bergkamp, who by now had made his way to the edge of the home side's penalty area.

The Dutch maestro was on the move when he received the ball and had Newcastle centre-back Nikos Dabizas for close company. Most players would have controlled the ball with their back to goal, but not Bergkamp, who had other ideas.

He flicked the ball one side of Dabizas and then moved around the other side of the bemused Greek. After that, it was all about strength, before composure was required to slot the ball beyond an advancing Shay Given.

It was a strike that in 2009 was voted as Arsenal's greatest goal in the club's history by supporters on the official website - some accolade when you consider the quality of goals scored by Henry, Ian Wright, Charlie George et al down the years.

Manager Arsene Wenger said at the time: "You will not see many goals like that, it was an unbelievable goal.

"You are blessed to see that when you come to a stadium. It was not only a magnificent goal but a very important one. I enjoyed it a lot."

Centre-back Sol Campbell made sure of the outcome when he headed in before the break, but it was Bergkamp's goal that understandably dominated the headlines.

NEWCASTLE: Given; Hughes (Cort), Distin, O'Brien, Dabizas; Solano, Jenas, Speed, Robert; Ameobi (LuaLua), Shearer

ARSENAL: Seaman; Dixon, Stepanovs, Campbell, Luzhny; Lauren, Vieira, Grimandi, Pires; Bergkamp (Kanu), Wiltord (Edu)

ID:208661: cacheID:208661:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4874:
Written by
Liam Apicella
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Laurent Robert scores Newcastle United's third goal against Arsenal on December 18, 2001.
Read Next:
On this day: Newcastle end poor London run
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!