Podcast Summary: The Rest Is Football

Episode: Dennis Bergkamp: The Moments That Made Them

Hosts: Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards
Date: February 18, 2026
Theme:
A tribute to the legendary Dennis Bergkamp, focusing on the iconic moments and qualities that made him one of the Premier League’s all-time greats. The team explores his impact at Arsenal, technical brilliance, and lasting legacy, with trademark banter, anecdotes, and analysis.

Episode Overview

In this episode, Gary, Alan, and Micah dive into the career of Dennis Bergkamp, reliving his most famous goals, discussing his influence on English football, and ranking his place among the sport’s modern legends. The conversation blends deep football knowledge, candid stories, and the hosts’ unique chemistry.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What Made Bergkamp Special

• Technical Brilliance:
  • “He’s up there with my favorite ever players, really. That's how good he was. Touch, technique, playing people in, awareness, leadership. And his finishing ... just them delicate touches he had.” — Alan Shearer [02:48]
• Character and Humility:
  • Gary recalls interviewing Bergkamp early in his TV career, describing him as “really pleasant” and “humble,” despite being a star [03:10].
• Transfer to Arsenal:
  • Micah highlights: “With him, there are good buys and there are great buys. And Bruce Rioch ... he was a great buy” [03:37].

2. Early Arsenal Days & Slow Start

• Discussion of Bergkamp's initial struggle, facing criticism before scoring his debut goal against Southampton—relief for player and fans alike [04:05–04:22].

3. Bergkamp’s Influence and Arsenal’s Legendary Kit

• The panel reminisces about the classic Arsenal JVC kit, blending nostalgia and playful ribbing over club loyalties:
  • “Did you use to wear that when you were little, Micah?” — Gary Lineker [05:12]
  • “I was an Arsenal fan when I was younger, I can’t say it now!” — Micah Richards [05:17]

4. The Flying Dilemma: Bergkamp’s Aviophobia

• On Bergkamp’s well-known fear of flying:
  • “Did they know that he didn’t like flying?” — Gary [06:01]
  • “He would have to miss the game if it was far. Or get a ferry or a car ... that is a trip and a half, isn’t it?” — Micah [06:14]
• Alan Shearer admits his own fear of flying, sparking a humorous tangent [06:29–07:51].

5. The Arsène Wenger Revolution

• Wenger’s arrival was a perfect fit for Bergkamp’s style and personality.
  • Gary shares a quirky anecdote about Wenger inheriting his old fax paper in Japan, as recounted in David Dein’s book, before Arsenal’s transformation [08:02–09:06].
• Berger’s Arsenal success came as Wenger shifted club culture away from the old-school English habits toward professionalism and fitness:
  • “Arsene Wenger came in, it changed almost the culture ... not just at Arsenal, but for English football.” — Gary [12:08]
  • “They looked so much fitter and stronger than the opposition.” — Micah [12:47]

6. Iconic Bergkamp Moments

Hat-Trick vs Leicester City [09:06–10:35]

• The panel relives his legendary hat-trick:
  • “Probably one of the greatest hat-tricks ... first goal, top corner from 25 yards.” — Gary [09:19]
  • “Possibly three of the greatest touches of all time. 1, 2, 3.” — Micah Richards [10:05]

1998 World Cup Goal vs Argentina [10:10–10:35]

• Gary draws a parallel between the Leicester goal and the famously controlled strike against Argentina:
  • “He brings it down in a similar sort of manner ... absolute classic goal.” — Gary

The Newcastle Goal: Did He Mean It? [20:16–22:50]

• The show’s central debate—did Bergkamp mean the outrageous spin-and-finish vs Newcastle?
  • “If it was any other player, you'd question it, but not him.” — Micah [20:48]
  • “Everything about it is perfection ... strength to hold him off, finish with the inside of the foot to just guide it in there.” — Micah [22:08]
  • “That's one of the greatest goals we'll ever see in the Premier League.” — Gary [22:14]
• Reflection on the technical demands of the goal, and how it stands above straightforward “goal of the season” contenders.

7. The Invincibles Season and Modern Comparison [15:18–16:45, 25:19–26:48]

• Arsenal’s unbeaten title run under Wenger:
  • “Do you think that’s better than Man City’s 100 points? ... It’s still unbeaten.” — Alan [15:26]
• Why going unbeaten is unlikely to be repeated:
  • Increased fixture congestion, depth in the Premier League, and competitive smaller clubs.

8. Bergkamp in the Premier League Pantheon [26:48–27:20]

• Comparison to other great Number 10s (Silva, De Bruyne):
  • “He’s absolutely right up there in terms of being pleasing on the eye ... graceful and skillful and classic.” — Gary [27:20]
  • The team agrees he set a trend for creative, intelligent attacking players in England.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “What a player.” — Alan Shearer [02:48]
• “Possibly three of the greatest touches of all time. 1, 2, 3.” — Micah Richards [10:05]
• “He was a spectacular footballer. It was interesting. I wonder whether ... did they know that he didn’t like flying?” — Gary Lineker [06:00]
• “He changed almost the culture of ... not just at Arsenal, but over time a different way of thinking, perhaps, for English football.” — Gary [12:08]
• “He’s absolutely right up there in terms of being pleasing on the eye ... wonderful footballer.” — Gary [27:20]
• “That’s one of the greatest goals we’ll ever see in the Premier League.” — Micah Richards [22:15]
• “He was one of the originals, wasn’t he?” — Alan Shearer [27:17]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:48] – What made Bergkamp special: technique, composure, touch
• [03:37] – Arrival at Arsenal, transfer fee
• [04:05] – First goal relief and end of early criticism
• [06:00] – The flying issue and how Arsenal coped
• [08:01–09:06] – Wenger arrives, changing club ethos
• [09:06–10:35] – Recalling Leicester hat-trick and World Cup goal
• [12:08–13:18] – The Wenger revolution: professionalism and fitness
• [15:18–16:45] – Discussing the Invincibles and legacy
• [20:16–22:50] – The Newcastle goal: analysis, debate
• [25:19–26:48] – Can unbeaten seasons be repeated?
• [26:48–27:20] – Bergkamp in the “number 10” tradition and legacy

Conclusion

The episode is a heartfelt, insightful celebration of Dennis Bergkamp’s genius and his transformative impact on English football. Combining tactical analysis, personal anecdotes, and a love for the game, the hosts immortalize Bergkamp’s artistry, situating him among the Premier League’s true greats. The episode closes with warm admiration for his legacy—“He was graceful and skillful and classic. Wonderful, wonderful footballer.”