Bergkamp has point to prove

By Pete Sanderson

When Arsenal FC kick off their UEFA Champions League campaign against Internazionale FC on Wednesday night, no one will be happier to wear the red-and-white shirt than Dennis Bergkamp.

Turbulent time
The Dutch international endured a turbulent two years with Inter before a 1995 switch to the Gunners. However, the softly spoken Bergkamp is the first to admit that his Italian experience bettered him as a player and a person. "When I moved to Italy and Serie A, it was like moving to a different world," the 34-year-old told uefa.com.

'It did me good'
"I experienced struggle for the first time and I believe it did me good. At [AFC] Ajax you win everything - you dominate matches and are given four or five chances every game to score. We never had to struggle."

Defensive style
Inter's defensive style did not suit Bergkamp and he believes it was this - more than anything - which dashed his hopes of emulating the Serie A success of his compatriot Marco van Basten. "In Italian football you have so few chances in the game because it is so tight and defensive," he said. "I was told we'd be playing attacking football and we did for a few games, then we went back to a defensive style, which didn't work for me at all.

Professional approach
"It meant I had to become so much more professional. It helped me a lot to have that - it made me more focused on chances when they came along." However, Bergkamp is still unhappy at the way he was treated by the Inter management and even the fans.

Broken promises
"I think the most disappointing aspect of my stay in Italian football was all the promises that were made to me and subsequently broken," he said. "During my first meeting with the club, they said we were going to play this wonderful, adventurous style. Somehow, once I'd signed, the attacking wingers became defenders and the whole formation moved backwards in a defensive style."

'Public property'
Bergkamp also found the attention of the public disconcerting. "In Italy you are made to feel like you are public property," he said. "The fans want to see you as a god. They want to touch you and that seems a big thrill for them. You have grown men wanting to touch you - it's unbelievable."

Perfect opportunity
Wednesday night is therefore the perfect opportunity for Bergkamp to put one over his former employers. However, the Milan giants have won their opening two matches of the Italian season and will provide stern opposition for Arsenal, who themselves top the Premiership five games into the new campaign.

UEFA Cup glory
Bergkamp, who helped Inter to victory in the UEFA Cup final against SV Austria Salzburg in 1994, is also anxious to show he still has what it takes on the European stage. "I was top scorer for Inter when we won the UEFA Cup and I also provided a lot of assists," he said. "Obviously winning the trophy was down to everyone at the club but in many ways I felt it was mine because I'd done so much during the season to contribute to us winning it." Arsenal, who have never won the Champions League, will hope for a repeat of that form this season.

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