It is amazing what the threat of being sold to Fulham can do to a man. Six months ago Dennis Bergkamp was a lonely, miserable figure, bemoaning his bit-part role in Arsene Wenger's new-look Arsenal and threatening to quit the club.

Now, after a wonder goal against title rivals Newcastle, the 32-year-old Dutchman finds himself as one of the pivotal figures in Wenger's assault on a Treble.

The chances are that Bergkamp would have played at St James' Park anyway even if a groin strain had not ruled out Thierry Henry.

Now as Henry prepares to face the FA on Wednesday ahead of an expected four-game ban for losing his cool after Newcastle's surprise Christmas win at Highbury, Bergkamp's role in the remainder of Arsenal's season is even more crucial.

Typically, Bergkamp tried to play down one of the goals of the season which set Arsenal on their way on Tyneside and came just three days after an equally breathtaking strike against Bayer Leverkusen.

He said: 'It was the type of goal you want to score - it worked out well and I'm pleased with it.

'I don't know if it was better than the goal on Wednesday, but it was more important because it was the first and it was away from home. Overall it was a good goal.'

Manager Wenger was massively impressed by the devious touch and turn which wrongfooted Nikos Dabizas before Bergkamp's cool side-footed finish.

The Arsenal manager said: 'It was an incredible goal, the sort you're pleased to come to a stadium to see. It was not only magnificent but very important and that's why I enjoyed it even more.'