Wenger seeking fresh sparkle from Bergkamp

Dennis Bergkamp's performance against the Ukrainian outsiders of Shakhtar Donetsk at Highbury tonight could have a significant bearing on his Arsenal future.

Manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed talks have started with Bergkamp's agent over a new contract to replace the one which expires at the end of this season.

The Dutch striker, now 31 and retired from international football, wants a new two-year deal and says: "I want to finish my career at Arsenal. I'm very happy and very settled here."

Wenger said: "I'm hopeful we can come to an agreement with Dennis. He's always been one of the key players here and although we have Kanu now who is a similar player in the same position I would love it if Dennis signed a new contract."

Bergkamp, though, has made a slow start to the new campaign, starting only twice in the Premiership and is virtually a redundant force away from home in the Champions League due to his refusal to travel by air.

His last goal was in early April in the UEFA Cup semi-final against Lens - and that made it only 10 for the season.

Now Wenger is considering a new plan to draw fresh sparkle from him - playing in "the hole" behind two main strikers like French pair Thierry Henry and Sylvain Wiltord.

And he may launch it tonight in a game Arsenal have to win to maintain their high hopes of reaching the second round of the Champions League, for the first time in three seasons, following last week's win over Czech champions Sparta in Prague.

With European Cup favourites Lazio due at Highbury next Wednesday, Wenger knows it is vital for Arsenal to gain maximum points from tonight's visit of the side ranked bottom of the 32 Champions League contenders by UEFA. But Wenger warns: "There is no chance we will underestimate them. They have six Ukrainian and two Russian internationals in their squad."

Nevertheless, David Seaman hopes to celebrate his 37th birthday by keeping a clean sheet and Wenger is hopeful skipper Tony Adams will recover from a stiff back, the legacy of his first-team comeback against Coventry on Saturday after missing three games with a sprained ankle.

Right-back Lee Dixon should also be fit after knee trouble and Patrick Vieira can add his considerable presence to midfield as the Champions League is not included in his current five-match suspension.