Do you think you will ever play in Holland again, and what club in Holland would you play for if you did go back?

"I'm not sure that I'll ever go back to Holland to play. I must admit, though, I do think about what it would be like to return. My times with Ajax are a very precious memory for me."

Do you feel your Italian adventure helped you to develop as a player, since you had to create your own chances more in the defensive Milan squad instead of just finish them in the constant flow of Ajax attacks, or would you rather have gone straight to Arsenal when leaving Ajax ?

"I would say, yes, I did learn and get a lot from my time at Inter Milan. Playing in such a tight league did help develop my attacking capabilities, for sure, but I wouldn't agree that it was as easy as you say at Ajax. No, I wouldn't rather have gone straight to Arsenal after leaving Ajax. Everything happens for a reason and that makes you the player and person you are."

What do you think about Holland being eliminated from the World Cup and do you think it's the lack of motivation of players that played a big role ?

"Isn't it terrible that the national team won't be going to the finals? I don't know about a lack of motivation but perhaps as players, us Dutch are somewhat stubborn. Therefore, we're not always that open to a new idea or tactic. That doesn't help because you need to mix it to qualify for the big tournaments. It's important that the team gets and keeps a real winning mentality on the field."

Which country do you think will win the 2002 World Cup final?

"I feel France are in a strong position still and they're my favorites to win it. Portugal will be interesting to watch as well, they could be dark horses. I'll be interested to see how Brazil and England get on too. Overall, I wonder what effect the fact it's in a different continent will have on European and South American sides."

With your fear of flying well known around the world, how did you get to the 1994 World Cup and would you have traveled to the far east for the 2002 World Cup?

"I flew to the 1994 World Cup. It was only a year after that tournament that I made my decision not to fly ever again. I wouldn't have flown to the 2002 World Cup, no. In actual fact, I had planned to retire from international football after the 1998 World Cup Finals. It was only the fact that Euro 2000 was taking place in Holland, which gave me the chance to bow out on home soil, that convinced me to stay on two more years."

If you were not playing for Arsenal, for which other Premiership club would you love to play for and why?

"I don't really know. I've always been in love with Arsenal since the day I arrived and have never thought of going to any other clubs."

Can Arsenal do the treble this year in winning the Champions League, the English Premier League and the FA Cup?

"What I would say is that we are in the ideal position to win more than one prize this season. When you look at the ability we have and the way we've clicked in recent months, we must surely win something this season. The treble? That would be nice! To win less wouldn't be any disgrace, though."

When Arsenal have all their strikers fit, you don't seem to get to play as much, is this frustrating or does it make you more determined to get back into the team?

"Of course it's frustrating when you're not playing, whatever the reasons. But squad rotation is part of football nowadays. I can't pretend I like it but I do accept it. I do, however, wonder whether this situation is here to stay or whether in a few years, we'll revert back to the old system where you played pretty much every week. I am always determined to get into the team each week, nothing changes that."

What's the most beautiful goal you scored?

"It would have to be my goal against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup quarter-finals. It had everything you want from a goal: a big occasion, it was the last minute of the match and a great strike. I'll never forget that moment. It's funny because Frank de Boer had delivered similar such passes to me many times in the past, but none matched the importance of that pass or the goal that followed it."

Which past, and current player do you admire the most?

"The past player would be Marco Van Basten. I had the privilege of playing with him and learned so much from him. Boy, what a talent! As for current players, I always admire players that come back from serious set-backs. So guys like Marc Overmars and Nwankwo Kanu would be the current players I admire most."