Speed, skill and control. The Dutch winger slices his way through defenders and charges in on goal. In short, when he is on song, Overmars is unstoppable!

Like fellow Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp, Marc Overmars has become an accepted brother of the Arsenal family. Not only because he drew up the ink on the dotted line contactually for the club, but because as his second season draws to a close, he has become an football N₅ animal, hunting for the ball, victory, and the sweet taste of more success.

Overmars is still only 25 years old, has recovered fully from a serious knee injury in his early twenties, but is now following in the rich tradition of Arsenal wingers going back through history from Cliff Bastin, George Armstrong, and Anders Limpar. Overmars is arguably the best of the lot.

A brief history lesson here to put Overmars' role in the club in context. Anders Limpar, that most gifted of wingers, left Arsenal after being frozen out by George Graham. Loved by fans, immensely skillful, and a huge crowd pleaser, he fell through Graham's motif that " stars must be performing stars. "

Limpar failed to perform Graham was the harshest critic - but Overmars is just that - " a performing star ".

Purists might argue that Limpar had a slighty greater X factor in ability than Overmars - more than Bergkamp audacity with his skill - but with his game, Overmars does incredible feats so simply. Or at least makes it look really simple.

When Overmars gets the ball in space, it takes your breathe away just to see him hare away brilliantly - whilst defenders gallop behind. When you break Overmars down, he doesn't possess the grace of Bergkamp, nor the power of Anelka - though he can match him for pace - but the best things often come in small, simple packages.

Overmars is precise, deceptive, economical - and works incredibly hard. He seems to tuck goals away in the corner or across the face of the keeper not with power, but with economy. It's a sign of greatness, because he makes it look effortless.

And who in the team, perhaps other than Parlour, runs more in 90 minutes than Overmars? His defensive game has grown hugely this season.

Overmars can certainly take the credit as being one of the most consistent players of the Arsenal season. Out of all the other players from the World Cup, he's played an incredible amount of games.

Who heard Overmars complain about being tired after the World Cup? He returned with the same level of motivation, the same desire, making the difference tell.

Last season, he made the difference in Arsenal winning the 'Double' - by scoring an inordinate number of goals for a winger, 18 in total. Though it has not been so prolific this season he has turned provider for many more, though hs has still reached double figures in hitting the back of the net.

When Overmars is in his game, you cannot defend against him. Remarkably, too, many players enjoy a flourishing first season bamboozling defenders only to be found out the following year. Such is Overmars' innate skill and speed, no-one has yet found the measure of him, though some defenders have taken the rustic route of chopping him down. In short, when he is on song,  Overmars is unstoppable.

His telepathy woth Bergkamp, moreover, is a joy to watch. Despite all the nonsense this season in the papers about Overmars/ Anelka relationship; that they dont get on, there is actually a great rapport on the field between the pair because they can both take opposition players on at pace, and destroy them.

Overmars grins and laughs of any feuds within the Arsenal camp. He is also visibly pleased when he is complimented on his ability. At Highbury, there is no greater sight at present than Overmars and Anelka roaming in tandem - with Bergkamp behind, looking for openings. It is a combination you can't account for, or defend against.

Does he see himself as an out-and-out winger, or a striker?

" Sometimes you have more responsibility. If Nicolas is out, or if both strikers are out, you have to look to be more of a striker. That's been the case sometimes this season. I also like to provide goals. "

" It's a long time since the close of a season was so exciting for me. The difference between most of the clubs is so little. "

" Look at Blackburn down near the bottom - they won the Championship four years ago. It is a fantastic league and it does demand the best from you at every turn. "

We have seen the best from Overmars. The 5-1 victory over Wimbledon - for example - was kick-started by Overmars. He burst down the wing in that 'Speedy Gonzales' way of his, the defence could not live with his cut back, and he took a lot of them out.

Overmars is crucial to Arsenal's long-term major ambitions - because he is a big game player, he responds when the heat is on. He will take the ball and decide that he is going to make an impact on the game, and could be credited, perhaps, as having as cool a temperature as Bergkamp when the heat is on. In his position, at present, Overmars is arguably the best in the world.

The out-and-out winger, pacticularly in his effectiveness. His close control defies, he beats his man nin times out of ten - on pure skill alone.

How does he see his performance this season?

" As a whole, the team's performances have been good. I'm quite happy, but I can always play better. "

" When we played Wimbledon after losing in the semi-final of the FA Cup, and we won 5-1, that was the way we had to respond. That was the only way."

" It was a great match against Manchester United. Unfortunately, we lost, but it was very close. Everyone enjoyed different things about it. "

" Credit to United. But there was little or nothing between the teams. I watched them play Juventus and I wish we had got through to the next round in the Championships' League, because we would have played Madrid, and I was quite sure that we could have played well against them. "

" Then, of course, you are almost at the semi-final stage and right there with a chance of winning the European Cup. " explained Overmars, twice a European Cup finalist with Dutch club side Ajax.

" If we had won more, and not drawn in the group stage, perhaps we would have been there, But there will always be next year. We have a strong front line now with Kanu added to the squad. "

" We had a long period on the premier League and in the Championships' League where we perhaps needed another front line striker, But we got through it. "

" I'm interested in English football, but I'm interested in the world football, too. Look how England have just done in the World Cup for under-18s. England lost all their matches, but you hear that the teams who made the finals are Bali and Japan. "

" It just shows how football is evolving. I like to follow that kind of thing quite a lot. "

So, though he remains incredibly modest, and like Bergkamp, a perfectionist, is he happy at Highbury?

" Of course. Arsenal is a great club. England is quite similar to Holland, and you always have to adapt to the new way. It has to be done. English players in the team get his involved if you feel a bit alientated. But there is a lot of teasing. You have the 'Back Six', who are always together, making fun. But they are a great bunch, and it's a pleasure to play with them. "