Foot Nostalgia: Bergkamp and the legendary "pirouette goal" against Newcastle

The date of March 2 is circled in red on each calendar of Arsenal supporters. It is the anniversary of "one of the most beautiful goals in the history of the Premier League", if not "THE most beautiful goal" as Robert Pirès explained to France Football . One Saturday night in 2002, in all lambda, was transfigured by Dennis Bergkamp at Saint James' Park, the lair of Newcastle.

"You kneel down and say, 'Thank you very much, I wanted to see this in my life.'"

A graceful and efficient Dutch forward, Bergkamp, ​​then 33, opened the scoring after 11 minutes for Arsenal. “I received the pass from Robert (Pirès), tells the Gunners N ° 10 years later. He gave it to me from the side in the axis. I felt the pass was a little too far back, so I had to pivot to control the ball. ” Bergkamp, ​​back to goal, deflects the ball to his right and turns to his left. "The quickest way to get the ball," he says.

Illustration of Bergkamp's goal, commented by Arsène Wenger

Newcastle defender Nikos Dabizas is mystified and collapses in a duel. "I took part in a work of art", positive the Greek in 2016 in the columns of SoFoot . Because, behind, Bergkamp concludes with an elegant flat foot facing Shay Given. "It sounds a bit ... special, strange or pretty, but for me it was the only way I could do it," said the Dutchman coldly. This movement is close to perfection, but it could also have been totally missed. ”

Premier League title at stake

"Thanks to him, as the goal is often broadcast on television in England, I am often seen because it is I who serve it, jokes Robert Pirès. But the ball that I put to him is not obvious. Especially since he has a guy with tagging. It's just magic. " Their coach, Arsène Wenger is full of praise for his striker. "Sometimes we forget the speed at which we have to make a decision around the surface," analyzes the Frenchman for the Arsenal website. You can only admire the technical quality of course. But when it is combined with creativity and efficiency, you kneel down and say, "Thank you very much, I wanted to see this in my life."

With a second goal from Sol Campbell, Arsenal won at Newcastle (0-2). The third game in a 13-game winning streak to complete the Premier League season and be crowned champion. Bergkamp's "pirouette" goal will remain the symbol. "What Dennis did that evening was just class," says Robert Pirès.

Dennis Bergkamp's goal against Newcastle in March 2002

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