I had also suggested that Tony Warner would not do to Arsenal what Van De Saar did two seasons ago at Highbury – keep a clean sheet. But for 32 minutes he did just that, his confidence boosted by saving Lauren’s poorly hit penalty. However his save from a Fabregas shot was quality. Once again the Gunners were over elaborating on the ball, no one quite wanting to poke it in.

However on 32 minutes Bergkamp, from a free kick, hit a fast and artful ball into the area. Cometh the hour, cometh the man, and that man was Cygan. Now we know why he polishes his head so carefully before games, the ball fair skidded off his head past the despairing Warner. What looked like being "one of those games" was transformed, the demons lifted, the team shifted through the gears.

 Fulham not only held out for the next twenty minutes, but also had chances off their own; our defence was not at its best. Cole still seems distracted, but Lehmann was in top form, and Toure, after his mistimed tackle for Fulham’s goal was commanding. Cygan was having a comfortable game, but we still left plenty of space. But none of this mattered as the team began to play more and more exciting football. Reyes was having a great night, as was Hleb and Henry. And on 52 minutes a pass from Reyes saw Henry go through, but with still lots to do, he hit a fantastic shot for the second Arsenal goal. Henry was back – he understood the role of captain – lead the line and lead it well.

Arsenal swarmed all over Fulham, but Fulham continued to attack, it could have been "squeaky bum time" but on 82 minutes Hleb gave Henry an exquisite pass who dinked the ball over Warner. Three – one. Cometh one and half-hour, cometh Cygan again. Another well hit Bergy freekick, and that old fox in the box Cygan struck again with an unbelievably agile shot on the turn.

CYGAN THERE’S ONLY ONE CYGAN sang out the whole of the library – as the announcer pointed out that he only needed 182 to beat Wrighty’s record. Cygan went off to a standing ovation. From zero to hero in one game does it mean the curse is lifted? I hope so.

So Arsenal, and Fulham, had made the best of the night, an exciting game full of attractive football from both sides.