London - English Premiership giants Arsenal unveiled a statue of club
legend Dennis Bergkamp outside their Emirates Stadium home in north
London on Saturday.
The 44-year-old Dutchman was in attendance to
witness the unveiling of the statue, which was commissioned to
commemorate his 11-year Arsenal career.
"I am just so honoured and
today makes me very proud. It is great to come back and see everyone at
Arsenal again," said Bergkamp, who scored 120 goals for Arsenal in 423
appearances.
"Everyone knows I love Arsenal and I had such a great
time at the club. The fans, the staff and my team-mates were fantastic.
The team was also amazing and we had a lot of success over the years.
"For
me and my family it was such an important and enjoyable period in our
lives. This is such a special moment to come back and be honoured in
this way."
The statue depicts Bergkamp leaping to control a high
ball on the top of his right foot and is based on a photograph taken of
him in action against Newcastle United during a Premier League game in
February 2003.
It joins statues of former Arsenal manager Herbert
Chapman and former players Thierry Henry and Tony Adams, both team-mates
of Bergkamp's, which were unveiled in December 2011.
Bergkamp's
arrival at Arsenal from Inter Milan in June 1995 was one of the
catalysts behind the most successful period in the club's history.
The
elegant striker won seven major honours during his time at the club and
was a key figure for the team known as the 'Invincibles', who won the
2003/04 Premier League title without losing a game.
"Arsenal
Football Club is proud that this statue of Dennis Bergkamp will be on
display outside Emirates Stadium," said Arsenal director Ken Friar, who
officially unveiled the statue.
"Dennis contributed so much to the
club, while at the same time treating Arsenal fans to some of the most
exciting football ever seen in this country."
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