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Bergkamp sweats on success

Dennis Bergkamp will be watching from afar as Arsenal FC face Valencia CF in Spain.

By Julia Court

A reluctance to travel might have ruled Dennis Bergkamp out of Arsenal FC's decisive UEFA Champions League Group B game at Valencia CF, but that has done little to calm the Dutchman's nerves.

Personal ambition
In their final second group stage encounter, Arsenal need a point at the Mestalla stadium to make sure of their quarter-final place and maintain Bergkamp's ambition of bringing Europe's top club prize to Highbury.

Final triumph
"For me, this is a personal dream," he told uefa.com. "I've not got many years left in the game as a player and I'd like nothing more than to round my career, and sideboard, off with a Champions League medal."

Hard way
Yet if Arsenal are finally to emerge from Manchester United FC's shadow in European competition, they will have done so the hard way. The second group stage has seen Arsène Wenger's side in tense mood, and they have lacked the killer touch that has defined their Premiership form.

'Extra gear'
"It is very strange that we don't seem to have that extra gear in European matches that we have had in the Premiership this season," said Bergkamp. "In Europe games are tighter and more tactical - give away possession and you'll be punished. Losing our concentration has cost us games and we have let in silly equalisers like in our last game against [AS] Roma."

Confident claim
They may be uncertain of reaching the last eight, but one thing Arsenal do not lack is confidence, and Bergkamp is convinced that if his team-mates do pass their Mestalla test, they can go on to win the tournament.

'We can do it'
"We haven't hit top form yet in Europe and if we do that against Valencia then things will look very different," he said. "We know we are good enough to win this competition and there is still such a strong feeling among us that we can do it this year."

Old rivalry 
That they could do so at the home of English rivals United - whose Old Trafford stadium will host the final in May - would make victory even sweeter. Bergkamp made no secret of Arsenal's desire to emulate the 1999 success of Sir Alex Ferguson's side and erase the memory of United's dominance of English football over the last decade.

'Special fascination' 
"The Champions League holds a special fascination for us all at Highbury because we've never done ourselves justice in it," he said. "United have proved that Premiership sides can win the trophy and when you look at the pedigree and experience of our squad, we should be doing far better on the European stage. The experience is there, for sure, as is the ability. We just need to make it count."

Painful memories
That's exactly what the Gunners must do at the Mestalla on Wednesday night, where they will be hoping history does not repeat itself. Two years ago Arsenal crashed out at the quarter-final stage against Valencia as John Carew's late winner ended their hopes.

Dream come true
"To go out of the competition like that was a big disappointment for everyone, but we must not look back, only forwards," said Bergkamp. As he watches the game in England on Wednesday, he could be looking forward to seeing his Champions League dream come true.

Dennis Bergkamp's personal website is at www.icons.com

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