Life at Arsenal with Bergkamp: 'Dennis was our fashion policeman'

When they weren't chatting to Ajax's host of former Premier League stars, Martin Keown and Dennis Bergkamp found time for a trip down memory lane…



Keown: Let me take you back to when you first came to Arsenal under Bruce Rioch. I remember you were different to us. For one thing, you didn't eat at the training ground.



Bergkamp: There was a lot of fatty, greasy food. I remember going with Glenn Helder and some others to play tennis one afternoon. When we turned up at the place, Ray Parlour and John Hartson were there with pints of beer. It had been the same during my first pre-season. I thought, 'How is this possible?' But I didn't think I'd made a mistake because the atmosphere of English football was stunning.



Gunners glory: Martin Keown (centre) celebrates Arsenal¿s 1998 title win with Dennis Bergkamp and Marc Overmars (left)

Keown: There was a bit of pressure on you at first though, wasn't there?

Bergkamp: Yes, Alan Sugar said, 'He's come here for a year to get the money and then get out again', and then I got all these questions from journalists after a few games because I hadn't scored. The papers had a race between me and Chris Armstrong at Spurs to score our first goals.

Keown: You certainly scored plenty in the end. Do you have a favourite?

Bergkamp: Argentina in the World Cup was the biggest one. Because of the occasion and the way I did it. But similar to that was the one against Leicester. That was really the perfect goal. Because as soon as the ball came from Platty (David Platt), I pictured what I wanted to do. That team had all types. I don't want to give you a big head but I use some of the things you used to say in the dressing room to my players now: 'Take a look around and realise how good you are.'

Keown: It used to amaze me what guys like you, Marc Overmars or Thierry Henry could do. My role was to remind people how good you all were and on the pitch I was more of an enforcer. I used to set you guys the challenge by saying: 'Come on, how much do you want it? If you want it, it's there for you.' When I got the ball, I'd only look for three players - Patrick Vieira, you and Thierry.



Trip down memory lane: Dennis Bergkamp looks back at all the fun with Martin Keown

Bergkamp: I remember those years that we used to go out on to the pitch and we knew we were going to win the game. Especially with our preparation. I remember you dancing before games.



Keown: People might think I'm crazy, but I was trying to relax. You used to find my favourite Michael Jackson song and put it on because you'd know I'd dance. You were one of the funny guys in the dressing room, the clothes monitor. If someone came in with any dodgy gear, you would hang it on the ceiling.



Bergkamp: I had to do that to you a few times. My favourite clothes story with you is when we went to West Ham and you celebrated like crazy when you scored in front of their fans.



Keown: I remember looking one of them right in the eye.



Bergkamp: The only problem was that the goal was disallowed and then the fans all started singing: 'Keown has a monkey's head.' Then the next year, they were selling t-shirts with that on outside the ground.



Emotions running high: Keown and Bergkamp argue with another future Sportsmail columnist, referee Graham Poll

Keown: I heard you were going to buy a load of them and wear them to training.



Bergkamp: Yes, I nearly did. I wanted to!



Keown: What about Arsenal now? Why have they lost their way?

Bergkamp: When I look at Robin van Persie, he is the front player, but he is better in my old role. They are missing an out-and-out goalscorer. Now they play with an extra midfielder instead.



Keown: They changed it to accommodate Cesc Fabregas, didn't they? But he's gone now.



Bergkamp: The midfielders are all the same sort of players. You need one who wants to get in behind Van Persie.



Keown: The defence is vulnerable, too.



Still good pals: Keown and Bergkamp on the training pitch at Ajax

Bergkamp: We were spoilt back then. In training sometimes I couldn't understand how I was offside.



Keown: Dennis, if you'd been on Mars for the last two years, you'd never have believed what had happened to Arsenal, would you? What can Wenger do now?



Bergkamp: I know he's the one who will be struggling the most. But with his experience, it'll be OK.



Keown: There are lots of former players who could offer something at Premier League clubs. It's a shame that hasn't been embraced like it has here.



Bergkamp: There was talk of Patrick going to Arsenal during the summer. I would've done everything possible to get him there. Just to get him in and around the dressing room. It would have brought so much to the team.



