LONDON - Dennis Bergkamp made no attempt to hide his emotions after his final appearance for Arsenal in a testimonial match at the club's new 390 million pounds (US$725 million) Emirates Stadium.

Dennis Bergkamp and his son acknowledge the crowd after a "Dennis Bergkamp" testimonial match at Emirates stadium in north London. Bergkamp made no attempt to hide his emotions after his final appearance for Arsenal in a testimonial match at the club's new 390 million pounds Emirates Stadium.[AFP]

Arsenal beat Ajax, the club where the 37-year-old Dutch star began his career, 2-1 thanks to goals from Thierry Henry and Nwankwo Kanu.

Afterwards Bergkamp said he had been touched by the reception he received from the 54,000 crowd and his fellow players.

"It was brilliant, and it was difficult not to get emotional," said Bergkamp, who cemented his status as one of Arsenal's greatest players with 120 goals in 423 appearances for the north London club.

"It feels like these players, and the fans, they are all one big family and it truly felt that way today," Bergkamp said.

Henry took just 11 minutes to find the net at Arsenal's new home, having flown in from the United States with fellow Frenchman and former Gunners star Patrick Vieira.

Meanwhile the Ajax side featured Netherlands greats Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard and the original Dutch master Johan Cruyff.

"Apart from being here for me they all love the game as well," added Bergkamp. "We asked them if they would come over, I have showed them a lot of respect in the past and they have repaid it.

"And the effort Thierry and Patrick put in, coming back from America, is just fantastic."

Klaas Jan Huntelaar put the current Ajax first team in the lead with a 38th-minute volley with Bergkamp pulling the strings for a young Arsenal XI.

But it took the veterans - and Henry - to seal a victory for Bergkamp's final appearance, although the Dutchman could have stolen the show further had a last-minute drive not been kept out by Ajax goalkeeper Stanley Menzo, who looked like he was trying to get out of the way.

Ronald de Boer also sportingly skied a second-half penalty after Gilles Grimandi had brought Dutchman Edgar Davids down before Kanu scored the winner off a defelction from Jaap Stam.

"I felt old in the first half, and young in the second," added Bergkamp. "It was great to play with all those young players."

Earlier, Bergkamp's father kicked-off the match just nine months after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

"It was his target to be here and thankfully the treatment went well - and it was so good to see him here," Bergkamp said.