Reliving Dennis Bergkamp's stunner against Newcastle in 2002

Dennis Bergkamp scores after bamboozling his defender inside out (courtesy Arsenal.com)

One of the most decisive moments in Arsenal’s double-winning season of 2001-02 was Dennis Bergkamp’s stunning goal against Newcastle at St James’ Park in March 2002, and the beauty with which the goal was taken is what the Dutchman will be remembered for by many Arsenal fans and football lovers worldwide.

Let’s take a step back and bring back the memories from the said season of the Barclays Premier League; the league table was being led by serious title contenders Newcastle until Christmas and they were favourites for the title run, riding on a recent 3-1 away victory at Highbury.

Fast forward three months later and a magnificent counter-attack which was launched by Patrick Vieira, assisted by Robert Pires and matched by Dennis Bergkamp’s flawless finish became the highlight of the season for every Arsenal loyalist thereafter.

Not only was the pivot-twirl and shoot routine an unusual and unique way to score a goal but the build-up was great too; as soon as Newcastle lost the ball few yards away from Arsenal’s penalty box, the counter-attack was mounted and Arsenal were a goal up in no more than 10 seconds. Such was the precision with which the delivery from Pires was executed that it would be difficult to believe if someone stopped the ball from reaching the back of the net.

In all humility, Bergkamp fails to see the goal as a perfectly executed strike as he believes that if the defender Nikos Dabizas would have been able to anticipate his move and had taken a step back, then the ball could have possibly been intercepted.

How it went down

After receiving a pass from Patrick Vieira in midfield, Bergkamp played the ball to Robert Pires on the left wing and started making his run towards the goal while calling out for a pass into his path. Pressure from Aaron Hughes meant that Pires couldn’t deliver the ball on time, which meant that the Dutchman had to check his run.

When the French playmaker finally sent the ball his way, Bergkamp had his back towards the goal. As soon as he received it, he used his quick reflex and innate skill to judge the ball’s spin and behaviour and twirled the ball past defender Dabizas before swivelling his body to the other side so as to bring him in between the defender and the ball.

All that was left to do was to put the ball into the net, which the non-flying Dutchman duly did. He struck a grounded shot into the bottom right corner past Shay Given and into the back of the net, giving Arsenal their first goal after just 10 minutes on the clock.

Arsenal effectively ended the game with the help of a header from Sol Campbell just before half-time, as they ran out 0-2 winners at the St. James Park to reinvigorate their quest to reclaim the Premier League title from holders Manchester United.

It’s not every day that you see such a wonderful skill being converted into a goal by the same player, but Dennis was capable of delivering just that.

His goal was voted the greatest goal of Arsenal in 2009 and although the club had already witnessed some amazing goals in that decade by the likes of Thierry Henry and Robin Van Persie, such was the sophistication with which the goal was executed that every time you watch it, it’s as breathtaking a sight as the first.

At the time when compatriots like Ruud Van Nistelrooy were all over the news for their goal scoring prowess, Bergkamp managed to steer away the limelight with just this one goal, which was so well engineered and executed that people seldom believe it to be skill, rather than sheer luck.

Arsenal went on the win a double of the League title and FA cup that season courtesy consistent performances by the legendary Gunner, who scored 14 goals and set up another 15 in 46 appearances.

Here are his top 5 Premier League goals, which obviously include THAT goal (Move to 01:50 if you want to see just that goal):