Ian Wright has his place in Arsenal history within his grasp after sinking Coventry with a sensational display of predatory finishing.
He struck twice to take his Arsenal tally to 177 in six amazing years - 260 appearances - and move within one goal of equalling winger Cliff Bastin's 50-year-old club record of 178 goals either side of the second World War.
It also takes Arsene Wenger's Gallic concoction to the top of the Premiership, and no one can doubt that they are serious challengers for Manchester United's crown.
This was supposed to be the night Highbury got its first glimpse of its Continental future with the latest pair of Arsene Wenger's five Frenchmen making their debuts, alongside new Dutch winger Marc Overmars.
But the accent remains firmly Cockney, the everlasting 33-year-old Wright simply refusing to concede his place at the heart of the north London club.
His enduring enthusiasm is matched by pace that the years have yet to daunt, and a thirst for glory that he hopes, at this late stage, will help him lose the bad-boy tag.
He has been adopted by the Football Association for a series of adverts publicising their work, but last night he sent another sort of message to the Lancaster Gate address he knows so well.
He has his sights firmly on the World Cup and Alan Shearer's vacant shirt against Moldova next month and has started the season in the sort of form Glenn Hoddle will find hard to ignore.
When Overmars slipped a short corner to Remi Garde in the 30th minute, the Sky Blues were relieved when young defender Scott Marshall's header thumped against the inside of Ogrizovic's left hand post.
But the ball flew out to Bergkamp who set up Vieira for a low screamer that Ogrizovic could not hold, and before he could recover Wright's razor-sharp reflexes had cut the loose ball beyond him.
But Wright's 46th-minute goal also had all the hallmarks of his game.
Former Crystal Palace team-mate Richard Shaw will long be haunted by his miscue as he tried to steer Petit's long through ball back to Ogrizovic from 40 yards.
Before he could recover Wright was past him like a greyhound, haring clear and then, as the goalkeeper narrowed the gap, showing an ice-cold killer touch to precisely steer the ball wide of his grasp and perfectly inside the far post.
Coventry, buoyed by their opening day 3-2 win over those other London importers Chelsea, simply had no answer.
Arsene Wenger, who unveiled Petit and Gilles Grimandi alongside fellow Frenchmen Patrick Vieira and Garde against Coventry, extended the cross-Channel influence with Overmars alongside his Dutch compatriot Dennis Bergkamp.
And Coventry reeled backwards against the attacking options Wenger gave Arsenal by his bold decision to go man for man on Saturday's hat-trick hero Dion Dublin and partner Darren Huckerby.
It put a lot on the shoulders of young Marshall and Grimandi but allowed Garde and Winterburn to operate as spare midfielders in a notional 4-4-2 formation, while his wingers really burnt up the flanks.
Wenger gave former England captain David Platt a sentimental run-out before today's planned signing for Middlesbrough, but his arrival moments after the second goals was greeted with widespread boos.
Bergkamp should have put the seal on a fine win, but after Overmars skipped between Breen and Paul Telfer to cross low, his fellow countryman burst on to the ball but hooked it over from just four yards.
He went much closer with a screaming free kick that Ogrizovic touched over, but his save was not recognised by referee Keith Burge who also booked Williams, Telfer and Garde.
Arsenal: Seaman, Winterburn, Vieira, Marshall, Wright, Bergkamp, Overmars (Hughes 75), Parlour, Petit (Platt 48), Grimandi, Garde. Subs not used: Anelka, Upson, Lukic. Booked: Garde. Goals: Wright 29, 47.
Coventry: Ogrizovic, Shaw, Burrows, Williams, Breen, Huckerby (Lightbourne 62), Dublin, McAllister, Salako, Telfer, Soltvedt (Boland 67). Subs not used: Hedman, Richardson, Hall. Booked: Shaw, Williams, Telfer.
Referee: K Burge (Tonypandy).
