Wenger confirmed he would not start fresh talks with the Dutchman, who earned a 12-month deal last summer, until the end of this season.

However, he revealed: “It’s not a tough decision as Dennis is part of the club and the team. He’ll play less and less, of course, because of his age and you can understand that.

“But he can still help in training as long as he keeps fit. It depends on who will come in, how he will take that situation and how much he wants to go on.

“It will not be a money problem though. Frankly, it has never been a money problem with him since I’ve been here.

“It will be more of a moral problem. He must also be completely committed to wanting to go on and to accept how many games he will play.

“When you have always been a regular, that is not easy. Don’t forget that Dennis is 36 in June and it’s very difficult to know when to stop. In fact, it’s nearly impossible.”

Bergkamp, who has been at Highbury for a decade, has indicated he wants to play on, with his aim being to complete the final season at the ground before the move to the new Emirates stadium.

Robert Pires is, meanwhile, also looking for a new contract, with just over a year left on his existing deal.

However, Wenger warned the 31-year-old Frenchman that Arsenal do not offer long-term deals to any player into their 30s.

“That’s what we do after 32. It’s what we’ve done with Dennis. In midfield and up front, you have to accept that you never know how long you will last at the top level,” he insisted.

Pires and Bergkamp will at least be fit for Monday’s game at home to Tottenham, although Thierry Henry and Freddie Ljungberg are both still ruled out with groin and hip injuries respectively.

Henry will also miss next Saturday’s game at West Brom and faces a race against time to be fit for the FA Cup final on May 21 against Manchester United.

“Thierry could be out for two, three or four weeks, but the good thing is that he will not be out for three months and his future is not under threat,” revealed Wenger.

And while Sol Campbell is fit after an ankle problem, he has been warned not to expect an immediate recall due to the excellent form of Kolo Toure and Philippe Senderos.

“Ideally I want Sol back as quickly as possible and the opportunity will come for him again. But Philippe Senderos has done extremely well and you have to be practical,” insisted Wenger.