Is This Arsenal's Greatest XI?

ST. Dennis Bergkamp

Every great team has a dangerous striker partnership. A small group of offensive players who understand each other so well it almost feels telepathic when they play with each other on the pitch because somehow they know exactly where their teammate is at all times.

It's truly a wonderful sight to behold and Arsenal supporters were lucky to witness it numerous times during the mid-90's to mid-2000's, with one particular player being the fulcrum for each partnership. While the likes of Thierry Henry, Ian Wright and Nicholas Anelka got all the plaudits for racking up the goals season after season, it was Dennis Bergkamp whose pin-point accurate passes laid the foundation for those goals.

Sure the Dutch maestro scored his fair share during his days at Arsenal. His exquisite touch to turn Newcastle defender Nikos Dazibas around like a spinning top before slotting the ball past long-time Ireland international Shay Given could be the greatest goal in Premier League history and his mind-boggling two-touch chip over Leicester City goalkeeper Mark Elliot still evoke all kinds of warm and fuzzy nostalgic emotions in Arsenal fans.

However, his real gift was his ability to put passes in the path of his teammates, laying it off to whoever was in the best position so they could slot it home. If you could Google the phrase 'Unselfish Football Player' the Dutchman's face should pop up with a wide grin. For years he was the focal point of the Arsenal attack, and luckily for the teams he played in, he was able to supply the goods more often than not.