Arsenal 2 Ajax 1 [Dennis Bergkamp's testimonial]
A surreal day – but it was bound to be saying hello and goodbye simultaneously. It was like a jumbled juxtaposition of filmclips – Arsenal of the future, meets Arsenal of the past – with a few footballing greats thrown in.
Arsenal of course have to be congratulated for having courage and vision to get the new stadium to hit reality on time.
People who see the world half empty, will no doubt nit-pick – about the perceived lack of toilets – on the ground tier level at least, and maybe the price of a pint and food. But space is a function of hierarchy – and compared to Highbury – the space is positively luxurious – and the seats a good deal bigger and more comfortable.
Arsene Wenger kicked off with a giant inflatable ball, which seemed to have a will of its own – "that's what he teaches in training" – one wag said.
Dennis Bergkamp's father Wim kicked the first half off – he was visibly moved by the support for his son.
It was a first half of little consequence though. The Arsenal side of Almunia, Hoyte, Flamini, Hleb, Smith, Connolly, Song, Cygan, Traore, Aliadiere, Bendtner and Bergkamp – seemed a bit thrown together – and it showed.
The crowd entertained themselves by Mexican waves started in the south west lower tier, from Ajax's vocal fans. It was a good laugh until the Police jumped into that section of the crowd to make an arrest, which had an incredible dampening effect.
Traore had some useful runs down the left. And Cygan managed a great saving tackle. But the Ajax side with stars such as Stam, de Mul and Schneider – had the better of it. And half way through, Klaas Jan Huntelaar – a forward ANR rates very highly, got on the end of a cross from a Manucharyan to fire home from close range.
The second half was a different ball game – a trip down memory lane with Seaman, Dixon, Winterburn and Bould [but no Adams], Vieira, Petit, Parlour, Ian Wright, Edu, Grimandi, van Bronckhorst, Overmars, Kanu and Helder and Henry playing at various times.
Ajax had players of the calibre of Davids, van Basten, Rijkaard, Cruyff, Pettersen, Roy, Wouters, Stam and van der Saar.
Most moving moment, apart from a very rousing 'Bergkamp Wonderland' at the beginning was the welcoming Vieira song; of note were – Nigel Winterburn's lung busting runs down the left; Henry's well taken goal from close range; the length of Emmanuel Petit's pony tail; the booing every time Davids touched the ball; Dennis B's three missed chances – two screwed wide and one straight at Menzo at close range; Overmars' incisive wing play; van Basten's volley – saved by Manninger;
And to cap it off Kanu's deflected winner; and Dennis being carried to the centre circle by Henry and Vieira – receiving a book from Hill-Wood and a picture of an Arabic boat from Maurice Flanangan – an Emirates director.
Thanks to Dennis for some great moments including the goal against Bolton 95/96. Good luck.
Went to a couple of Arsenal events last week – and came away with the distinct and encouraging feeling that Arsenal is a 'big family'. That family just got a lot bigger….
Postscript
Thanks for emails. From the back of the lower tier stand couldn't see who tackled Davids for the penalty. There were two or three players in the way. At least I didn't get Pires down as playing, like one national paper.