Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp ‘honoured’ by Hall of Fame induction

Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp has been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame, becoming the fifth player to be awarded a place after Thierry Henry, Alan Shearer, Eric Cantona, Roy Keane and Frank Lampard.

The league’s highest individual honour can only be granted to players who have been retired as of 1 August 2020, with only a player’s Premier League career considered in their candidacy.

Naturally, that was more than enough for the best No. 10 in Arsenal’s rich history.

Arriving at Arsenal in 1995 from Inter Milan, the forward altered the landscape of the team forever. Henry may be the club’s best ever player, but few had an impact on the overall style and outlook of Arsenal quite like Bergkamp. Raising the ceiling for technical ability in north London, his mesmeric ability attracted the gazes of more than just Arsenal fans to the Premier League.

Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp ‘honoured’ by Hall of Fame induction as Dutchman becomes second Gunner to earn Premier League honour

The Dutchman’s 181 Premier League goals involvements for Arsenal (87 goals and 94 assists) is second only to the 249 of Henry, while his assists in the competition rank him fifth highest on the all-time assist charts.

Speaking following the announcement, Bergkamp insisted it was an ‘honour’ to be inducted.

"“I’m extremely proud if people say that I was one of the first foreign players who added something to the English game,” he said.“The Premier League most definitely made me a better player. From the moment I arrived in England I’ve embraced the English mentality and passion for football, it suited me and my style of play.“Playing every game against good and tough opponents meant I improved all the time. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”"

In terms of records, Bergkamp set plenty. He was the first Dutch player to score a hat-trick in the competition with a remarkable treble against Leicester in August 1997, while he also holds the record for the most assists in a single game (four) recorded over the same opposition in 1999.

Scoring was not a cornerstone of Bergkamp’s game, but when he did find the back of the net he did so in style. That goal against Newcastle in 2002 was voted as the best goal in the Premier League’s first 25 years by fans.

What Bergkamp did on a football pitch few others could. For those new to the sport, or even those well-versed in it, the absorbing nature of his movement and intelligence rekindled old fires in the stalwart supporters and lit new ones into the hearts of the coming generations.

Football was easy under his spell. If the question is: ‘why is football so special?’ then the answer is ‘Dennis Bergkamp’.