Arsenal hero claimed Dennis Bergkamp’s iconic goal was ‘100%’ intentional after what he saw in training

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Dennis Bergkamp was one of the most technically gifted players Arsenal have ever had.

The Dutchman possessed immaculate close control, a mesmeric passing range of passing and was capable of producing moments of magic on a consistent basis.

Bergkamp is widely regarded as one of Arsenal’s best ever players, scoring 120 goals in 423 appearances for the Gunners.

He won the Premier League three times in his stint in North London, as well as attaining three FA Cups and a Champions League runners-up medal.

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Lauren claims Dennis Bergkamp’s goal for Arsenal against Newcastle was intentional

Among his best moments in an Arsenal shirt, Bergkamp scored an iconic goal away at St. James’ Park against Newcastle in March 2002.

With eleven minutes on the clock in the north-east, and the game poised at 0-0, Robert Pires fizzed the ball into Bergkamp’s path, who flicked it around the defender with a sublime first touch, before cooly slotting beyond Shay Given.

One of the most memorable goals in Premier League history, the intention behind the first touch has been questioned.

Many believe it was a fluke, but Bergkamp’s teammate at the time, Lauren, is convinced that the centre-forward meant to do what he did.

Speaking in an interview with Soccer AM in 2019, the former right-back revealed that he’s certain that the touch was deliberate as he’d seen him replicate similar pieces of skill in training.

“Knowing the technical ability he had, he meant to do it, because he did that in many situations in training,” Lauren said.

“If you taped the training ground sessions every day, you will see Kanu making tricks, Bergkamp doing unbelievable tricks, Thierry and Robert as well.

“They are gifted players, god gave them that. He meant to do it 100%.”

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Dennis Bergkamp’s Arsenal statistics

Sol Campbell also named Bergkamp as the most skilful player at Arsenal, with these consistent glowing reviews from former teammates an indictment of his quality.

The ex-Netherlands international was a master of his trade – creative, graceful and beautiful to watch.

Contributing to an immense 181 goals in 315 Premier League appearances (and 253 starts), the playmaker was both extremely effective in the build-up and ridiculously productive in the final third.

He unquestionably goes down as an Arsenal legend, with European silverware the only thing that eluded him.