Unfortunately prone to missing chunks of every season through injury, Overmars at his best is an asset to any team.

With pace, goal-scoring ability and a sound footballing brain, he has shown himself to be at home on the biggest stages ever since breaking into the national side as a callow 19-year-old.

He scored within five minutes of his international debut in 1992 and two months later was brought down by Des Walker at Wembley as England threw away a two-goal lead in a fateful World Cup qualifier.

After his £5m move to Arsenal in the summer of 1997, he took a while to settle - but by the end of the season he was one of the main factors in the Gunners' double triumph.

Less effective this year, he has faced competition for his place from Freddie Ljungberg at Highbury and Boudewijn Zenden at international level.