Arsene Wenger will resist the temptation to call on the services of golden oldie Dennis Bergkamp in Arsenal's vital Champions League clash with Inter Milan.

Bergkamp produced a masterful display in the Gunners' 3-0 Premiership win at Birmingham yesterday when a class finish provided him with his first goal of the campaign.

He responded to the challenge of being given the captain's armband for the first time in the Premiership in his nine-season spell at Highbury in the absence of the suspended Patrick Vieira.

On the evidence of that display, Bergkamp - in what may be his final campaign for Arsenal - still has plenty to offer.

Even with his fear of flying - meaning Bergkamp would have to undertake a lengthy journey by road - the Dutchman's presence in the San Siro Stadium could be vital in a must-win game.

But after witnessing Bergkamp's master-class performance at St Andrews, Wenger will still not put the veteran forward's body through such a schedule at the age of 34.

He said: 'Dennis was very pacy and sharp, took his goal well and did fine for the whole 90 minutes. I was pleased with his performance.

'At the moment I think he is sharper than last season and he can still make a difference with his pace when he goes behind defences. His finish for his goal was sheer class.

'But he will not be going to Italy. It is too short a space of time between Saturday and the game on Tuesday for him to travel so far - just three days - at his age. He wanted to go, but you have to make decisions.'