Dennis Bergkamp: Memories of Magic, a Tribute to the Iceman

As fans, we all have those special few players who will forever reside in our hearts and minds. They may have captured our imagination when we were young, they may have been our father or brother's favorite, or they may have been the player who gave us so many good memories for our favorite team.

No matter the reasons, players like these are the ones we inevitably tell our children about as well as compare every player who pulls the jersey on for our team to. Dennis Bergkamp is one of those players for me.

As we come upon 5 years since he hung up his boots for his beloved Arsenal, I felt it was a fitting time to look back at some of the moments from his career that are forever embedded in my mind. This is in no way meant to be a definitive list of his best moments (that list would be massive), but only those that remain treasured by me for one reason or another.

I hope others will enjoy and share some of their favorite memories of the Iceman.

July 9th, 1994 Netherlands vs Brazil (1994 World Cup Quarterfinals)

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9 Jul 1994: DENNIS BERGKAMP OF HOLLAND IS CHALLENGED BY MARCIO SANTOS OF BRAZIL DURING THE 1994 WORLD CUP FINALS QUARTER FINAL MATCH AT THE COTTON BOWL STADIUM IN DALLAS TEXAS.

After going down 2 - 0 to Brazil after a Bebeto strike in the 63rd minute, all looked lost for the Dutch. Bergkamp hauled in a long throw in, and promptly disposed of three Brazilians before placing a tough angled shot past Claudio Taffarel into the opposite corner.

This strike was classic Bergkamp, and was a turning point in the most exciting match of the 1994 World Cup. The Dutch would tie the score 10 minutes later, only to fall to the eventual champions from a thunderous free kick from Branco, but Bergkamp's 3rd goal of the competition was a beauty.

January 15th, 1997 Sunderland vs Arsenal (FA Cup Replay)

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4 Jan 1997: Dennis Bergkamp of Arsenal in action during the FA cup third round tie between Arsenal and Sunderland at Highbury in London. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. Mandatory Credit: Ben Radford/Allsport

It was not the most stunning or incredibly crafted goals from Bergkamp, but on this cold January night, Dennis showed he could place the ball where he wanted and whenever he wanted with this curling effort.

Merson picked Bergkamp out with a pass from the wing. Dennis initially lost control of the ball, but was able to regain control through some deft touches. Once he regained possession, he was face up to goal from 20 yards with a defender in front of him.

Bergkamp calmly struck a curling effort around the defender and into the top corner.

August 27th, 1997 Leicester vs Arsenal

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27 Aug 1997: Dennis Bergkamp of Arsenal beats Kasey Keller in the Leicester City goal to score the late equaliser in the FA Carling Premiership match at Filbert Street in Leicester, England. The game ended 3-3. \ Mandatory Credit: Mark Thompson /Allsport

There are some times you see a move on the pitch where you say "Did he just ...", and then have to watch the replay several times to comprehend what just happened. Bergkamp's late strike against Leicester was one of those.

David Platt stroked the ball from the right wing to an onrushing Bergkamp, who was cutting down the left channel. Bergkamp plucked the ball out of the air with his left, flipped it past Matt Elliott (who was trying to defend) to his right foot, and calmly roofed it over Kasey Keller's shoulder to complete his hat trick.

It was as if Bergkamp was dancing a foxtrot and the ball was his partner, an absolute moment of brilliant control, the likes of which I have rarely seen.

July 4th, 1998 Netherlands vs Argentina (1998 World Cup Quarterfinals)

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4 Jul 1998: Dennis Bergkamp of Holland goes past Roberto Ayala of Argentina during the World Cup quarter-final match at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille, France. Bergkamp scored a late winner as Holland won 2-1. \ Mandatory Credit: Ben Radford /Allsport

Another World Cup, another quarterfinal match with a South American powerhouse. The Velodrome in Marseille was the site for an entertaining match.

Tied at one closing in on injury time, Bergkamp hauled in a 60 yard pass out of the air, and placed it between the defenders legs before beating Carlos Roa from a tight angle to give the Dutch a late winner. This has to be one of the 10 best goals ever scored in a World Cup.

The soft touch Dennis showed in bringing in a 60 yard pass to beat the defender, and in one step placing it past the keeper, is the stuff legends are made of.

March 2nd, 2002 Arsenal vs Newcastle

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23 Mar 2002: Dennis Bergkamp of Arsenal is tackled by Andrew O''Brien of Newcastle during the AXA sponsored FA Cup 6th round replay between Arsenal and Newcastle United at Highbury, London. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Ben Radford/Getty Images

Arguably the greatest goal Dennis ever scored, and perhaps his most remembered by Arsenal fans. During the stretch run of the Premier League title race, Bergkamp looked to latch onto a Robert Pires pass.

The ball was a little behind him as Dennis battled with Dabizas. Bergkamp calmly stretched his left leg out and while heading the opposite direction, flicked the ball behind the defender and went the other way around Dabizas to meet the redirected pass.

Dennis managed to hold off the strong challenge from the defender and slot past Shay Given to open the scoring for Arsenal. An absolute stunner that had everything: touch, invention, strength, and a quality finish.

April 16th, 2006 Arsenal vs West Brom

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LONDON - APRIL 15: Dennis Bergkamp of Arsenal celebrates his goal with team mates Philippe Senderos and Mathieu Flamini during the Barclays Premiership match between Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion at Highbury on April 15, 2006 in London, England. (Pho

Appropriately, Bergkamp scored his final goal on Bergkamp Day during the final Highbury season. He came on as a second half substitute.

In the 89th minute, he collected the ball near the top of the box, and curled an effort into the corner. Typical Bergkamp, bringing to an end his impressive tally over his Arsenal career. Not his greatest or most extraordinary goal, but a fitting finale for the Iceman.

He would play his final game for Arsenal a few weeks later, before taking the pitch at the new Emirates Stadium for his testimonial a few months later. Bergkamp is and will forever remain in my mind one of the greatest the game has ever had.

Thanks for the memories.