It just had to be. Eduardo, in his first start in more than a year, needed only 20 minutes to send the signal I mentioned earlier to Wenger, Adebayor and all Arsenal supporters, a signal having “I’m back” written all over it.

Seeing the Arsenal dominating as they have done during these first 45 minutes just didn’t happen a lot this season but the performance we witnessed so far has been simply sublime. Cardiff had zero goal opportunities. We, had plenty.

In the 4th minute, a Sagna cross is well met in the air by Bendtner but his effort is just wide. A minute later, a superb pass from the right by Eduardo finds Vela who decides to go for goal rather than passing it to his team-mates and his effort is blocked. More pressure from Arsenal with Gibbs providing a delicious cross from the left, met by Gallas on the right post but Heaton was again ready to deny us.

In the 19th minute, it was Heaton again saying no to the Arsenal, this time from a Kolo Toure effort after the Ivorian made his way into the penalty area.

After 20 minutes, it was one nil to the Arsenal. Eduardo lays it off to Vela who returns the favour with an exquisite cross for the Croatian to show Adebayor how it should be done. This goal marks the comeback of a champion and hope for the rest of the season. In the 27th minute, it was Nasri’s turn to try his luck after Vela’s run enabled him to find space but his effort was again saved. In the 35th minute, it was 2-0. Nasri delivers from a corner and Bendtner, unmarked, rises high to head home. It was a great half by the Danish International but in the end, he has one goal and four clear goal opportunities missed under his name.

We had to wait until the last minute of the half to witness another goal opportunity and it was pure magic. A Sagna cross from the right is taken down beautifully by Vela who turns, has his shot saved with Bendtner hitting the post from close range when he could only miss. The ball came straight back to Nicklas but his second effort is kept out by Heaton, the best of the Cardiff side.

Words cannot express the joy for Eduardo’s goal and for watching him run, fight and also try his luck from the middle of the pitch! The Croatian is back with a bang and if he keeps this form until the end of the season, what looked to be a disappointing year for Arsenal supporters can turn into something special.

Welcome back Dudu.