"Other clubs never came into my thoughts once I knew Arsenal wanted to sign me"
About this Quote
The intent is pointedly relational. Bergkamp frames the move not as a negotiation but as mutual recognition: Arsenal wanted me, therefore the decision was already made. That “wanted” is doing heavy lifting. It implies seriousness, respect, and a plan - not just money or headlines. The subtext is that other clubs, however rich or famous, were offering something less essential: a contract, not a footballing home.
Context sharpens the effect. Bergkamp arrived in 1995 after a bruising period at Inter, where tactics and culture often felt constricting. Arsenal, on the cusp of reinvention that would later be crystallized under Wenger, represented a different promise: trust in technique, room for intelligence, permission to play with nuance. The quote retroactively sanctifies that turning point, turning a transfer into a statement of belonging.
It works because it converts a career move into a loyalty myth without sounding corny. One sentence builds a narrative fans crave: the great artist didn’t just join the club; he recognized it.
Quote Details
| Topic | Sports |
|---|---|
| Source | Help us find the source |
| Cite | Cite this Quote |
Citation Formats
APA Style (7th ed.)
Bergkamp, Dennis. (n.d.). Other clubs never came into my thoughts once I knew Arsenal wanted to sign me. FixQuotes. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/other-clubs-never-came-into-my-thoughts-once-i-99840/
Chicago Style
Bergkamp, Dennis. "Other clubs never came into my thoughts once I knew Arsenal wanted to sign me." FixQuotes. Accessed February 1, 2026. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/other-clubs-never-came-into-my-thoughts-once-i-99840/.
MLA Style (9th ed.)
"Other clubs never came into my thoughts once I knew Arsenal wanted to sign me." FixQuotes, https://fixquotes.com/quotes/other-clubs-never-came-into-my-thoughts-once-i-99840/. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.



