Eriksen: I learned a lot from watching Bergkamp

CAIRO –15 November 2017: Christian Eriksen played a crucial role in his country's World Cup finals with a 3-1 win over Ireland on Tuesday. Tottenham midfielder Eriksen said Dennis Bergkamp, a former Arsenal star, had played a significant role in his development.

Before the London Premier League Derby between Arsenal and Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium, Eriksen, 25, praised Dutchman Bergkamp, who has spent 11 years at Arsenal, for helping him out of the spotlight. Eriksen played under Bergkamp's leadership in Ajax before playing for the first team in 2010.

"In my first year at Ajax, we had some sessions with Dennis Bergkamp and Wim Jonk," Eriksen, who joined Tottenham in 2013, told Sky Sports. "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,” he said.

"I learned a lot from watching him and working with him. It helped me when I made it through to the first team," he added. The Danish player, along with Harry Kane and Dele Alli, has been instrumental in Tottenham's emergence as a domestic and European force under manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Eriksen continued his strong performance with Tottenham this season, scoring 4 goals and assisting 4 in 15 appearances, and praised the Spurs coach. "He trusts me completely. You feel that trust and it makes you want to do everything for him," Eriksen added as he spoke of the Argentine, "he has given stability not only to me but to the whole club. That's the main thing for a player.”

Tottenham heads into the North London derby in third position, eight points behind leaders Manchester City, while Arsenal sits in sixth place, a further four points back.