• Saturday, July 27, 2024
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Arsenal to honour Bergkamp

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 Dennis Bergkamp will become the latest Arsenal legend to be honoured with a statue.

A figure of the Dutchman is set to join Thierry Henry, Tony Adams and Herbert Chapman outside the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal refused to confirm if a Bergkamp sculpture was imminent but pictures of the proposed monument were leaked on Twitter last night.

The statue is based on the classic image of the former Holland striker controlling the ball in the air against Newcastle in 2003.

Sculptures of Henry, Adams and Chapman were erected in December 2001 and it is thought Bergkamp will be unveiled before the start of the 2013-14 season.

An Arsenal spokesman said: “We currently have statues outside Emirates Stadium commemorating three legends in Arsenal’s history; Herbert Chapman, Tony Adams and Thierry Henry and we’re delighted that they have been extremely popular with visitors to the stadium.

“We’re pleased that speculation surrounding a future possible statue at Emirates Stadium is generating interest and will obviously communicate details if and when there is confirmation of any new developments.”

Bergkamp was signed by Bruce Rioch from Inter Milan for £7.5million in 1995.

He went on to score 120 goals in 423 games for the Gunners, winning three Premier League titles and four FA Cups.

Bergkamp, 43, is currently assistant manager at Dutch giants Ajax.