Gunners Vieira, Kanu, Henry and Pires celebrate a priceless win in Lyon (PhilCole/Allsport)

But while it was Thierry Henry, attack leader of Wenger's foreign legion, who inspired the chorus which reverberated around the Stade Gerland, the song was surely sweetest on the ears for two of Highbury's Home Guard.

David Seaman and Tony Adams were pillars of strength in the impregnable edifice George Graham constructed more than a decade ago.

The pair are as indispensable to Wenger today, and if there were any who felt that the Arsenal manager should consider putting them out to grass, they must now reserve their judgment.

A price cannot be put on calmness, authority, intelligence and speed of thought, as the watching Tord Grip may now tell England coach Sven Goran Eriksson.

Last night, with all these qualities and more, they thwarted everything Lyon could throw at them to provide Wenger's side with the springboard for what may be the turning point of their Champions League campaign.

The build-up may have concentrated on Dennis Bergkamp's enforced stay in England, yet as Wenger had noted, the important players were those on the field.

Inspired by the resourcefulness of Adams as he reduced the goal threat of Brazilian Sonny Anderson to a minimum - and the agility of Seaman - this was a classic example of how to play in Europe.

Defending in numbers, where the energy of Ray Parlour and Patrick Vieira helped out Adams and Co, Wenger's side then countered like a genuinely class act.

It was no surprise to French fans that it was one of their own who delivered the decisive blow, Henry capitalising on outstanding work by Ashley Cole to head home from six yards just before the hour.

The vital goal could well have come earlier, Kanu doing everything but score with a piece of genius on 20 minutes and then Henry crashing against the upright just before the break.

Yet, Wenger will know that it was all made possible by the way his old guard stood firm when the assault and battery was at its firmest.

Adams' brilliantly-timed tackle on Anderson in only the fourth minute set out Arsenal's stall and inspired his team-mates.

From then on, it seemed the skipper was everywhere he needed to be, keeping his head, keeping the ball moving. But even Adams could not cover every move. Fortunately for Arsenal, when he was outflanked, Seaman was unbeatable.

	Lyon's Edmilson can't keep up with a fit-again Thierry Henry (PhilCole/Allsport)

An early, instinctive diversion to foil Steve Marlet was only for starters as Seaman extended his unbeaten run to 568 minutes of action. The save he produced to deny Vikash Dhorasoo midway through the first half was as good as any he has made in his long career.

To get to Dhorasoo's 12-yard snapshot bound for the bottom corner was one thing, to hold the ball outstanding.

Henry's misfortune when he hit the post might have disheartened some, but Arsenal are on a roll now.

It was never easy, and when Anderson fed Marlet in behind Grimandi soon after the restart, his cross-shot would have beaten all but the most alert of keepers, but Seaman flew to his right to turn the ball aside. Almost instantly, Arsenal took advantage.

Cole - excellent in front of Grip for the second time in four days - refused to be stopped as Eric Deflandre hauled him back by the shirt and then picking out Henry for the striker's 16th goal of the season.

After that, it was a case of holding on. With Adams masterful, and Seaman's handling so sure, they were in no mood to relinquish their hard-won advantage.

The gestures of triumph at the final whistle told their own story. This night meant so much.