This year’s final takes place a week after his 35th birthday, but thoughts of the best present ever have to be put aside for now in favour of two matches against United in the next seven days.For the first, at Highbury this afternoon, Arsenal can afford to be sanguine in the light of their points advantage. Whatever the result today, it is Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park that has the look of a banana skin, like the one Bergkamp slipped on there in 1999. I don’t feel I want to go somewhere else for maybe one or two years. It’s difficult to say goodbye to something that is truly tremendous, playing in such a team.”Bergkamp has winner’s medals for the Uefa Cup (with Ajax and Inter), Cup-Winners’ Cup (Ajax), two Arsenal Doubles, and trophies for best goals in the Premiership (twice) and the 1998 World Cup (the wondrous strike against Argentina). What is noticeably lacking on the cv is the European Cup, something he has been desperate to win and is now closer to than ever. It’s just a matter of taking care of yourself for many years and you’ll have that extra [time] at the end of your career That’s probably why I’m benefiting at the moment. “Sometimes you think a player is dead and he lives again,” Wenger declared – and it wasn’t Mark Lazarus he had in mind.The manager is keeping his Dutchman in suspense over a contract for next season, but another one will surely be offered, extending Bergkamp’s length of service to 10 years since the otherwise maligned Bruce Rioch signed him in June 1995 “I feel that I could do another year easily,” he confirmed “I feel fantastic physically and I’m happy.

In the Premiership game there last month, he played two of the season’s most sublime passes, one 50 yards across the pitch for Henry to volley and the other with the side of the right foot, setting up Vieira’s equalising goal. And what more reassuring sight could there be for any team-mate than to see the Arsenal captain bestriding the midfield at the peak of his powers?Vieira behind him and Thierry Henry in front, Dennis Bergkamp liked the view from the Bridge. “United will have to come and beat us at home and play very well, because we’re playing good football, our confidence is really high and we’re enjoying ourselves,” said Patrick Vieira. It remained there until the title was won three weeks later.Twelve months on, there is new humility in the Arsenal squad, but a relaxed confidence too, based on absolute trust in those around them.

As they filed away from Stamford Bridge this time, a draw and away goal in the locker, it was in the knowledge that destiny, and history, are in their hands this time. No wonder Sir Alex Ferguson danced on the pitch at the final whistle The old campaigner knew the force was with his team. Despite the 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge (in an FA Cup sixth-round replay), Ars? Wenger’s team had suffered the deep disappointment of being knocked out of the Champions’ League in Valencia, immediately after a damaging defeat at Blackburn, where they suddenly wore a vulnerable look.Having briefly been eight points clear in the Premiership – which some players seemed to feel meant the job was done – they found United closing fast, then sneaking ahead after smashing in six goals in half an hour at Newcastle and cavorting away from Highbury with a 2-2 draw to stay in front. What’s new, in a country increasingly dominated by the same knot of teams? Quite a lot as it happens; above all, the balance between the two leading clubs.
This time last year, whatever subtle forces determine these things were blowing United along and forcing Arsenal off course. Didier Deschamps – a former Chelsea player – is gaining a burgeoning reputation at Monaco while Portugal’s coach, Felipe Scolari, would be an imaginative choice.