Dennis Bergkamp Is The Only Player To Finish 1st, 2nd And 3rd In PL Goal Of The Month Competition

Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp is still the only player in history to win first, second and third place in the Match of the Day 'Goal of the Month' competition.

The former Gunners forward, who scored 120 goals in 423 games during a trophy-laden 11-year spell in North London, achieved that remarkable feat in the summer of 1997.

Bergkamp the only player to ever have won 3 best goals on MOTD goal of the month. @Arsenal pic.twitter.com/xfGEDDLLts

— 90’s Football Memories (@90sFootballUK1) January 1, 2022

On August 23rd, in a clash against Southampton at The Dell, Bergkamp picked up the ball near the halfway line before charging towards goal.

Using his trademark close control to edge away from the Saints defence, he eventually found his way to the penalty area, beat a defender with an incredible outside-of-the-boot touch and slotted past a helpless Paul Jones.

It was a silky finish that scooped third in the 'Goal of the Month' competition.

Four days later, on August 27, Arsenal were on their travels again. This time, the Gunners drove up north to face Leicester City at Filbert Street.

That man Berkgamp opened the scoring in the ninth minute with an unstoppable strike. Known for his heading ability, many people were surprised when the Dutchman decided to go short for a corner.

But seconds later, he curled a long-range effort into the top corner, leaving goalkeeper Kasey Keller with no chance between the sticks.

Bergkamp would score again with an hour played but Leicester managed take a 3-2 lead after two late goals from Matt Elliott and Steve Walsh.

It looked like The Foxes were on course to upset the odds but in a moment of pure magic, Bergkamp would score one of the greatest goals in Premier League history.

Arsenal defender David Platt lofted a ball into the box and after taking it down with a magnficent first touch, the striker lifted it over the defender with his second before slotting past Keller.

It was rightly named the Goal of the Month for August 1997. How good is this?

🇳🇱 Dennis Bergkamp: The Arsenal Legend once finished first, second and third in the same Premier League Goal of the Month competition. He remains the only player in the league’s history to achieve this feat!

This finish vs Leicester was the winner ⚪️🔴pic.twitter.com/APhiAegp8J

— Gooner Chris (@ArsenalN7) February 6, 2022

And here's all of Bergkamp's finishes to feast on. Which one is your favourite?

When Dennis Bergkamp's goals were voted 1st, 2nd and 3rd in August 1997's Goal Of The Month. pic.twitter.com/wkBHFGQcQ9

— 90s Football (@90sfootball) January 16, 2021

Last year, Bergkamp named that magnificent third against Leicester as his favourite Premier League goal.

"A lot of people would pick my goal against Newcastle [United, in March 2002]," he said after being inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame. "However, my favourite is the third goal of my hat-trick against Leicester [City] in 1997.

"The run, control, touch and finish all needed to be done at high quality and pace. It was a goal where every move went how I’d planned it in my head."

The outstanding effort was scored during Arsene Wenger's debut season in England's top flight. Years later, he would also call it his favourite.

You can see the former Arsenal boss speak about the finish below.

I know there's too many to choose from, but let us know your favourite Bergkamp goal in the comments.