LONDON Angry Arsenal striker Dennis Bergkamp took a swipe at the British press on Wednesday, saying he was sick of reading about his fear of flying and demanded more respect as a human being.

The Dutchman vehemently denied a report that his well-documented fear of getting on an airplane had now been joined by a similar unwillingness to travel by train.

"Why has my fear of flying been turned into this soap opera? Surely it isn't such a big deal? I'm sick of it," he said in an outburst on his personal Website at www.icons.com.

"I've been able to travel to lots of places including Barcelona and Fiorentina in the past so it isn't a huge handicap."

There was a mild ticking-off too for Arsenal Coach Arsene Wenger.

"I know that Mr. Wenger was asked today whether I'm scared of traveling by train and he reportedly fell a little short of denying that I have such a fear," Bergkamp said.

"I wasn't party to that conversation but I'm a little bit disappointed that he didn't consult me on this or that I wasn't told by anyone at the club that this suggestion was being made by the press.

"It seems a little odd because Mr. Wenger knows I have no problem with trains."

Bergkamp said he had missed Arsenal's 1-0 away victory over French club Olympique Lyon on Tuesday because he had been rested by Wenger, much to the Dutchman's disappointment.

"Surely there are more important things to be said about the Champions League than this? It's a huge competition with Europe's best teams, why just talk about me and planes?!"

Bergkamp summed up: "The problem is just that I'm a little bit tired of the whole drama surrounding my decision to not fly.

"People never seem to tire of going on and on about it and I'm sick of it.

"It isn't a joke -- it's my personal decision as a human being. Perhaps people could respect that a little bit more."

(Reuter)