OK OK, so Dennis Bergkamp has made an official statement confirming his previously stated intention to retire from international football.

Arseweb can't help wondering what else he was going to do. Holland's next two years will be spent attempting to qualify for the next World Cup, which takes place - literally - on the other side of the planet. How exactly were they expecting Dennis to get to and between South Korea and Japan, if he's still refusing to get on a plane?

And what sense would there be in Dutch boss Louis Van Gaal picking him for the qualifiers, when he won't be there to help them in the tournament itself?

Bergkamp's quote reads: 'I have decided, after months of weighing the pros and cons, to take this decision. Because of the busy programme I will not get enough rest to perform optimally. I want to focus fully on the (English) club competition.'