MX23RW : Friday, March 29 00:27:35| >> :60:2503:2503:
[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: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
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


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!