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Exclusive Bergkamp Interview

Features 1

THE FOOTBALL365 CUP FINAL Q&A
DENNIS BERGKAMP

The Arsenal goalscoring hero on his Final fitness, doing The Double and Saturday's colour scheme! Dennis. The question everyone wants the answer to, of course, is whether you'll be fit for the FA Cup Final? "I'm desperate to play, but with a hamstring injury it's very difficult to rush things. I just have to hope that the injury clears up in time, but I accept that it may be touch and go as to whether I make it or not. It would be a really disappointing end to the season for me if I don't make it, but I definitely haven't given up hope. I'm just taking things one day at a time and keeping my fingers crossed." Did you imagine you'd make it to Wembley this quickly? "It's something you dream about, to be honest. When I signed for Arsenal almost three years ago it was the one trophy I was desperate to win. I know the Championship is very important, but when you think about English football you think about the FA Cup. And, to be honest, I didn't think things would happen this quickly. It's even more important we win now, because we're chasing The Double. What's your verdict on Newcastle, then? Well, they're like Arsenal in many ways, a club with great tradition. Newcastle have a big reputation and they have some very passionate supporters. But it's the little things for me that are most important for me. The contrast of colours, black and white against red and white, those sort of things. It's all perfect for making a nice day. Will Newcastle be more motivated because they've had such a shocking season in the Premiership? "It's the only thing they can win so it's obviously a big deal for them, but you'd expect them to battle hard regardless. But we want to win the FA Cup as well and the chance of winning The Double is a pretty good incentive. But you expect a hard game no matter who you play. To lose in the final itself is probably more heartbreaking than going out in the earlier rounds. Nobody ever remembers the losers, it's a case of winner takes all. You do know that a lot of people are building the game up to be a Bergkamp/Shearer head-to-head? "Yeah, I do. But what's happened at Arsenal in the last year is that we've become a very good team, it's not about individuals. It's not really fair to compare one player with another directly because it's always a case of two teams against each other. I can only perform because of the way the team is playing. The things I've achieved, the personal things I've won, are all because of this team." Is the FA Cup a big deal back home in Holland? We know it's a massive thing in Holland. It's great to watch the final at Wembley, everybody talks about it for weeks and weeks. I know it's a huge day here in England, but in Holland everyone knows about it, too. The game has a worldwide audience and it's a great feeling to be part of it. When I was playing over in Italy it didn't really matter if you won the cup or not. It's two games, home and away, it's not a full house and nobody really cares. Here, it's unbelievable. Even before I went to Italy I said the one thing I really wanted to do in my career was play in an FA Cup Final.
	Will you feel a bit of a traitor on Saturday, though? You grew up a Spurs fan… Not really, because people don't make a big thing out of it. The main reason I followed them was because I was a big fan of Glenn Hoddle. And when you wanted to see Hoddle play you were watching Tottenham. They had an exciting team at that time, with Hoddle and Ardiles together and Archibald up front. It was a great team. But you have to remember I was only a kid, It happens." Will you get nervous beforehand? "I've never really been one for nerves, other than when I first started playing. But these sort of games will always be different because they're such a big occasion. It will be more tense and you're bound to be more nervous. But as soon as the whistle goes, as soon as you touch the ball it's all gone. You tend to be so focused on the game that you forget what else is going on around you. Have you thought about scoring the winning goal at Wembley? "Not really. I just think about the day, the build-up to it and just enjoying it. Not even the game, really. Just seeing all the fans and walking out onto the pitch. I haven't really thought about the game itself, other than enjoying everything that comes with it." If you manage to achieve The Double, will it be a shock to you to have done so much in such a short space of time at Highbury? "Yes, I didn't imagine anything like this. I achieved a lot with Ajax and I won the UEFA Cup in my first season at Inter Milan. But it would be something special to win The Double with Arsenal. Before the season started I would have settled for the Championship, but now I have a chance of making a bit of history, of being the first Dutch player ever to have done The Double. Mind you, the last time you were at Wembley things didn't go too well for you, did they? "Don't remind me! The last time I played there was in Euro 96 when Holland lost to England, 4-1. I've got good memories of the place too, though, like when we drew 2-2 and went on to qualify for the World Cup in America. I hope I don't get flashbacks about the last time because I want to enjoy this moment. And, anyway, this is a totally different game. I'm with an English team now, it's more or less a home game now compared to when I played there for Holland." Will your family be there, cheering you on? "Yeah, they all want to see the game. They're very happy because for years they've always watched the final back home. But it's not just my family who are excited. I'II be getting calls from people wanting tickets saying, ‘Hi, remember me?' It's been a big season for you whatever happens on Saturday, though. Are you looking forward to a break? "For a little while, at least. I don't have much time before the Dutch squad meet up for the World Cup and when you have to go straight into international football after a tough season it can be very hard. I don't know how much time I'll get before we go, but I'll definitely make the most of it."

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