Bergkamp: Teams no longer fear us

Dennis Bergkamp admitted today that Arsenal have lost the air of invincibility that made them opponents to be feared away from their Highbury stronghold.

Dutch star Bergkamp, who pledged his future to Arsenal by signing a new two-year contract, said: "We are just not consistent enough this season.

"We have proved we are strong at home, that we feel noone can beat us. Away from home has been our problem this season. It hasn't been like the last few seasons."

Bergkamp cited tomorrow's game against struggling Coventry as a perfect example of how unpredictable Arsenal have become on their travels.

He added: "People can say now that you don't know what the result will be when we play at Coventry. That is probably the difference between Manchester United and us. I don't know if they have improved a lot over the last season. But I feel we haven't improved at all. That is a bad thing.

"You should go to these teams knowing they should be scared of us because Arsenal are coming. Now teams feel they have a chance. If you look back at other years we would win at home and also go away and get a result. We would win games, tight games, 1-0. That is something you look at.

"Manchester United did that this week. They lost at home to West Ham in the FA Cup and that was a big disappointment to them. You could see that. But a few days later they recovered to win at Sunderland 1-0.

"We have to get back to the kind of form we showed in recent seasons. Now when they play us teams feel they have a chance and we are influenced by that whereas a few seasons ago they would think about playing us on their own ground and be happy with a draw."

Bergkamp is delighted to have sorted out his future after a summer of uncertainty.

He said: "There was a lot of interest from other clubs but I said a year ago I wanted to finish my career at Highbury and I am pleased it has been resolved."

Bergkamp has already gone on record as saying he is less than convinced by the rotation system involving the strikers that has been used by manager Arsene Wenger.

Wenger argues that it is essential the front players remain fresh and sharp.

Whether Bergkamp becomes a victim of the rota at High-field Road remains to be seen.

It is possible he will make way for Nwankwo Kanu who was substitute in the 2-0 midweek victory against Bradford City but Bergkamp looked so sharp and incisive in his play that he may again team up with Thierry Henry. Definitely out of contention are Martin Keown, Silvinho and Freddie Ljungberg because of injury and there may be a place for versatile Gilles Grimandi in defence of midfield.

Wenger has been distracted for the last two days with the appeal against his 12-match touchline ban and will be reliant on the observations of his assistant Pat Rice before deciding which is his best line-up.