The contract dispute between Dennis Bergkamp and Arsenal almost brought about the 34-year-old's retirement.

"It would have been difficult for me to have one more season somewhere else and finish my career with a club I might not know," Bergkamp told the Evening Standard.

"I didn't think it was important at the stage of my career to have big offers but in the end we are happy with each other and that is the main thing," he said about the money issue.

"Me and the boss were on the same line, and the offer and the money was good," he concludes.

Bergkamp started the Community Shield game against Manchester United, and was substituted after an hour in the heat.