Football: Overmars overrules rankings

Arsenal 1 Sheffield Wednesday 0

BEFORE the kick-off Dennis Bergkamp was presented with a trophy as Fifa's third-best player, which just goes to show that it is not only in its world rankings that the game's governing body can be numerically challenged. For most of Arsenal's new year renaissance the much admired Dutchman has not even been the third best player at Highbury.

This victory was a case in point. True, Bergkamp was more involved than usual and scored a beautifully taken winner. But it was fashioned for him by Marc Overmars who, as has been the way in recent months, comfortably outshone his international team-mate, while Tony Adams and Patrick Vieira also produced sparkling performances to put the number 10 in the shade.

Overmars, in the first half in particular, gave a sensational display down the left flank. Capitalising on Earl Barrett's early booking, he tormented the Wednesday defence, apparently able to get to the byline at will with only the absence of a natural finisher in the six-yard box preventing the home side from building an unassailable lead.

Asked afterwards about his pounds 7m signing's rich form after a faltering start to the season, the Arsenal manager's answer suggested a conundrum that hinted at the complexity of modern football. Question: When is a winger not a winger? Answer: When he plays for Wenger.

"When he came here he was a winger, a typical winger at Ajax," Arsene Wenger said. "In Holland they used the wingers to create space for the midfielders. And that means they are in and out of the game. When he came here I gave him a different role, where he was more involved in the midfield. And I think psychologically it took him some time to adjust to that. Physically it is much more demanding."

Overmars ability to come inside and turn midfield creator was perfectly illustrated by the goal, when his chip found a well timed run inside the box, and the Third Best Player in the World sidefooted past Kevin Pressman.

For all his inconsistent form, Bergkamp's absence through suspension for the next three games presents Wenger with a problem, all the more so since Ian Wright, who has already been missing for nine weeks, is definitely out of Tuesday's Premiership tie at Bolton and is doubtful for the FA Cup semi-final with Wolves next Sunday. Wright, his manager said, was dying to return, but the club would not be rushing him back.

"His love of the game is a big asset when he's fit, but his enthusiasm when he is injured is terrible for him," Wenger said, "because he thinks he can come back and play the next day when there is no pain. That's why we need to be overpatient - because he's impatient."

One solution to the absence of Wright and Bergkamp would be to exploit Overmars' pace, vision and eye for goal and push him forward. Wenger said he had yet to settle on a formation but refused to be concerned, pointing out that his side had coped with the prolonged absences of Seaman, Bould, Adams, Keown, Vieira and, of course, Wright.

Certainly if Arsenal can repeat the style and tempo of the first half, when their pressing and passing was a throwback to their golden autumn (and achieved without the outstanding Manu Petit) then their challenge on two fronts can remain in tact.

Goal: Bergkamp (35) 1-0.

Arsenal (4-4-2): Seaman; Dixon (Garde, 52), Keown, Adams, Winterburn; Parlour (Grimandi, 74), Vieira, Hughes, Overmars; Bergkamp, Wreh (Anelka, 57). Substitutes not used: Manninger (gk), Platt.

Sheffield Wednesday (3-4-1-2): Pressman; Sedloski, Walker, Hinchcliffe; Barrett, Atherton, Stefanovic, Pembridge (Whittingham, 83); Carbone (Hyde, 67); Booth, Di Canio. Substitutes not used: Clarke (gk), Emerson, Magilton.

Referee: S Dunn (Bristol).

Bookings: Wednesday: Atherton, Barrett.

Man of the match: Overmars.

Attendance: 38,087.