Even amid a seven-goal rout of Everton which must cause huge concern at Old
Trafford, there was just one simple, unanswerable demand from a packed
Highbury.
"One more year," the Arsenal fans chanted in unison as they contemplated the
prospect of Dennis Bergkamp being allowed to retire this summer rather than
being offered a final 12-month deal.
The Dutchman has admitted his frustration at the club's delay in deciding
whether to extend his superb career for another 12 months.
But when his contract negotiations finally start, they should at least be
short and sweet. Simply handing over a video of this one-sided encounter should
suffice.
Against Everton, Bergkamp was at his majestic and inspirational best, playing
a prominent role in all three first-half goals as he set up Robin van Persie,
Robert Pires and Patrick Vieira.
After Pires had struck again and Edu had converted a penalty in his own final
game at Highbury, the Dutchman capped an awesome display by scoring himself.
There was even time for Mathieu Flamini to make it 7-0 as Arsenal completed
their biggest win under Arsene Wenger, with the returns of Thierry Henry and Sol
Campbell rather overshadowed.
Not at Old Trafford, however, one imagines. For while Sir Alex Ferguson's side
are scratching for form, Arsenal are clearly approaching the FA Cup final on an
increasing tide of confidence.
Everton, meanwhile, can only be relieved they had already sealed fourth place.
In three meetings with Arsenal this season, they have conceded 14 goals and this
was a truly embarrassing display.
They even threatened first, only for Mikel Arteta and James Beattie to waste
chances, and they paid a heavy penalty thereafter.
Bergkamp delivered a through-ball with precision and vision to van Persie, who
slotted a shot past goalkeeper Richard Wright - unfortunate enough to be
recalled after just over three months on the sidelines.
Two minutes later, Bergkamp was again the catalyst as he sprayed an inviting
ball out to Jose Antonio Reyes, whose cross reached Pires.
The Frenchman's first attempt may have been saved but his headed follow-up
looped over Wright and went in off the underside of the bar.
Everton tried to rally but Beattie again wasted an opening and Arsenal resumed
their domination as Bergkamp again seized the game by the scruff of the neck.
The Dutchman deftly flicked the ball through the static Everton defence as
Vieira strode clear to lift the ball nonchalantly over Wright.
The Everton keeper managed to deny van Persie and Reyes before half-time but
the warning from the Highbury crowd was clear - "we've got Henry to come".
The French striker duly appeared in the second-half, replacing van Persie,
while Flamini came on for Vieira, who was simply being rested.
Everton, meanwhile, brought on Marcus Bent to replace the largely ineffective
Beattie, but even though Henry was denied a penalty, the visitors' respite was
short-lived.
With 50 minutes gone, they were 4-0 down as Bergkamp fed Henry and his pass
was deflected back off Lee Carsley into the path of the lurking figure of
Pires.
Arsenal were now toying with Everton and Henry was only denied by a reaction
save from Wright after being sent through by Reyes.
The Everton keeper was nevertheless helpless on 70 minutes when Carsley was
penalised for handball and both Henry and Lauren allowed Edu to convert the
ensuing penalty in his final game at Highbury.
If Everton's defence was in a sorry state, their attack was little better.
While Campbell may have understandably looked rather rusty at the outset, this
was the perfect game in which to recapture his match-fitness and he produced an
excellent covering tackle on Bent.
There was still one thing the Highbury crowd demanded and, with 13 minutes
remaining, it finally came - a goal from Bergkamp.
The Dutchman challenged David Weir and, when the ball looped into the air, he
controlled it with aplomb before adjusting his feet in time to clip his shot
past Wright.
Lehmann was still determined to keep a clean sheet as he saved excellently
from substitute Duncan Ferguson and there was enough time left for Flamini to
convert a cross from Reyes.
David Moyes ordered his shocked players over to their fans to apologise, while
Bergkamp waved to the crowd on Arsenal's lap of honour.
If he is not offered a new deal, this was his final match at Highbury and - on
this evidence - that possibility seems faintly ridiculous.
Teams
Arsenal Lehmann, Lauren, Campbell, Senderos, Cole,
Pires (Fabregas 64), Vieira (Flamini 45), Edu, Reyes, Bergkamp,
Van Persie (Henry 45).
Subs Not Used: Almunia, Toure.
Booked: Flamini, Campbell.
Goals: Van Persie 8, Pires 12, Vieira 37, Pires 50, Edu 70 pen,
Bergkamp 77, Flamini 85.
Everton Wright, Hibbert, Weir, Yobo, Pistone, Carsley,
McFadden, Watson, Arteta (Ferguson 75), Kilbane,
Beattie (Bent 45).
Subs Not Used: Stubbs, Plessis, Turner.
Att: 38,073
Ref: A Wiley (Staffordshire).
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