Christian Eriksen aims to destroy Arsenal like he did Ireland – after revealing Gunners legend Dennis Bergkamp was his inspiration
HE laid waste to Irish World Cup dreams in Dublin on Tuesday night.
And now Christian Eriksen can send Arsenal into a North London tailspin of despair this weekend.
Any doubts over whether Eriksen is the latest “Great Dane” were surely ended by the manner of his destruction of Martin O’Neill’s men in the Aviva.
Finding time and space amid the maelstrom of Irish passion, the Spurs man orchestrated a humiliating thumping, three stunning strikes for an unforgettable hat-trick earning his country their trip to Russia.
If Eriksen puts on the same sort of show at the Emirates on Saturday lunchtime, it may see more than a few Gooners feeling negative towards Dennis Bergkamp, after the Danish schemer credited the Dutch legend for being a formative influence on his own career.
As a youngster coming through the ranks at Ajax, Eriksen learned at the feet of the Dutch master.
He recalled: “We did this passing drill, worked on certain movements, learning how to measure runs and then passing the ball to exactly the right place at exactly the right moment.
“Even then, you could always see Dennis’ charisma and confidence on the ball. He always knew how to take his first touch and where the ball needed to end up afterwards.
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“I learned a lot. It helped me when I made it through to the first team.”
Eriksen has now graduated to the ranks of teachers himself and his Spurs team-mates will be looking to him to help earn only Tottenham’s second league win at Arsenal in 24 years.
Midfielder Eric Dier agreed: “We’re seeing the best Christian Eriksen we’ve ever seen.
“He’s obviously coming very high on confidence now. He’s had a fantastic campaign for Denmark, not just in these two playoffs, but in the whole of qualifying.
“It’s well deserved he got the hat-trick to get them through. It’s great for Tottenham he’s continuing to excel. Hopefully he can keep going.”
Wales defender Ben Davies added: “Chris is phenomenal for us. He dictates the play and gets us going. For me it is no surprise to see him scoring.
“He’s a player who deserves to be at a World Cup. I’m delighted for him.”
Eriksen’s Danish team-mate Nicklas Bendtner joined the love-in despite his Arsenal allegiences.
The former Gunners striker said: “He was very special against Ireland. He has grown into a leader for us and takes a lot of responsibility. He is the guy who makes any team he plays for tick.
“Christian will certainly be one to watch at the World Cup next year.”
“He is a fantastic player. But can you compare him to the greatest in the game, the Messis, the Neymars? That is difficult but he is definitely up there with some of the best players in the world.
“He is a top, top player. He has an eye for goal, he has an eye for assists. Those players are worth their weight in gold because they always contribute something special.
“You ask me to compare him to Messi but it is not a one year thing. These guys have been doing it for five, six seven years.
"Christian has done amazingly this year and if he keeps going the same way, then you can start comparing him to these big players.
“I know as a striker if I make a run and he has time on the ball, he is going to find me. He is not a selfish player. He will play you in if that’s on but also has an eye for goal.
“He scored a great goal aaginst Ireland with his left and a great goal with his right but his running capacity is that good that he is always liable to arrive in the danger zone. He always seems to have the energy to move around the pitch.”
But presumably, given Bendtner’s background and Saturday’s North London derby the big No9 was tempted to give Eriksen a kick as they went their separate ways?
“I am always going to be an Arsenal fan. Always. But no! He is a friend. Obviously, I want him to do well but not on Saturday. Arsenal are my team and I hope they are going to win.”
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