Arsenal Football Club is delighted to announce that a statue of Dennis Bergkamp is to be unveiled at Emirates Stadium to commemorate the Dutch striker’s huge contribution to the Gunners. Bergkamp joined Arsenal from Inter Milan in June 1995 and went on to make a total of 423 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 120 goals, during which time he treated Gunners supporters to some of the most exhilarating and skilful play by any Arsenal player ever. During Bergkamp’s 11 years with the Club, he played an integral part in Arsenal winning seven major honours, including the Invincibles’ unbeaten Premier League season of 2003/04. The statue of Dennis Bergkamp is still in its early construction phase and the unveiling is planned to take place before the start of next season. It will be located outside Emirates Stadium, and joins three other statues of Arsenal Legends currently on the Podium around the Gunners’ home, those of Herbert Chapman, Tony Adams and Thierry Henry, which were unveiled in December 2011. Dennis Bergkamp said: "First of all, I am honoured that this is going to happen. It makes me very proud. Everyone knows that I love Arsenal and that I had a fantastic time at the Club.

"For me and my family it was an important period in our lives. Next to that the people were great, the team was amazing and we had a lot of success over the years.

"I will do everything I can to be there when it will be unveiled. It will definitely be a special moment for me which I don't want to miss."

Arsenal Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis said:“Everyone at Arsenal is delighted to be commemorating the Arsenal career of Dennis Bergkamp. It will be a fitting tribute to Dennis’ huge contribution to the Club that a statue will be on display outside Emirates Stadium in the near future. “Dennis’ quality and style of play will never be forgotten. He is a true legend of Arsenal Football Club and it’s great to think that so many Arsenal supporters and visitors to Emirates Stadium will be able to enjoy this tribute to such a great player for years to come. “Dennis and everybody at Arsenal are slightly disappointed that some images have been leaked today of the statue in its development, but this will not detract from the excitement we have for the statue’s unveiling in the coming months.” Further details regarding Dennis Bergkamp’s statue and reflections on his glittering Arsenal career will feature on Arsenal.com in the near future.