Waiting For Freddie

come on Freddie, go! GO!

In 2002 Dennis Bergkamp played a vital role in the run-in to the title. Many will remember that Newcastle goal but his influence on creating goals for others was crucial to winning the league that year, as the Gunners piled on 13 straight wins in the home stretch to claim glory.

In December of that season, the Arsenal faced Juventus in the Champions League. The lasting memory from that match is one of Bergkamp dancing along the edge of the penalty area, ball glued to his foot, toying with his defender. Freddie Ljungberg lies in wait only a few yards away, seemingly as mesmerized by the Dutchman’s footwork as the Juventus players. In an instant Dennis rolls the ball back, Freddie darts in, and the pass meets him in stride. Goal.

David Winner interviewed him for issue one of The Blizzard to discuss many such moments of genius from our beloved number ten.

It’s my favourite assist, but it was not like me, I felt, to have the ball at my feet all that time. I was waiting for Freddie. It was in that period when he was always coming from somewhere and I could find him at the right time. I made a lot of assists with him. 

That’s the thing which in my opinion is the beauty of the game: that there can be just one look to each other, or just me controlling the ball and the body language means "come on Freddie, go! GO!" And then he goes, because he understands. There’s no shouting, it’s just my body language.

Many admirers, myself included, speak of Bergkamp’s ability to see the game as if slowed down, and how that vision gives him the platform to create. It’s a gift, we all think. However, that notion does some disservice to the professionalism and dedication for which he is also renowned. Dennis Bergkamp is a student of the game in general, and of his own game in particular. He remembers things he has done in training, in matches, his teammates’ movements.

The goal he scored against Argentina for Holland is similar to the one against Leicester. And his assist against Juventus laid the groundwork for this pass shown above against Bolton. From very similar positions on the pitch, Bergkamp and Ljungberg combined to devastating effect. A quick look was all that was needed. Dennis. Freddie. One nil to the Arsenal. 

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