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Premier League
Mar 2, 2002 at 3pm UK
 
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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)

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Laurent Robert scores Newcastle United's third goal against Arsenal on December 18, 2001.
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