Hangeland was the hero against the Gunners, netting his first goal for Fulham and sparking near-delirious celebrations at Craven Cottage.

But he is quick to remind his team-mates it was less than two weeks ago they opened the campaign with defeat at newly-promoted Hull - and must be wary of hosting League One side Leicester in the Carling Cup second round on Wednesday night.

Hangeland, 27, said: "I feel that we didn't perform well at Hull. We repaired that in a way against Arsenal and it was a big three points but really it is all about consistency.

"We face a cup tie now and it is no good getting carried away. After that we are not playing for nearly three weeks because it was supposed to be Manchester United this weekend but they are in the European Super Cup on Friday in Monaco.

"And we don't want to sit it out all that time thinking our last performance was a poor one against a team from a lower division."

Leicester, in fact, have done well since going down from the Championship on the last day last season despite a draw at promoted Stoke.

Twice winners of the League Cup in the last 12 years, they have already knocked out Stockport this season and kept up the early pace in League One with two wins and a draw.

Fulham met them in the FA Cup third round in January 2007, drawing at Leicester and then recovering from 3-1 down to win the replay 4-3.

This latest clash, for which Fulham have slashed admission prices and will keep the main Johnny Haynes Stand closed, presents a dilemma for manager Roy Hodgson who could finally give £10.5million new striker Andrew Johnson his debut after missing the first two league games with a thigh injury.

Hodgson has already insisted he will not risk the former Everton star until he is 100% fit and yet with the next game not due until Bolton's league visit on September 13 has no real reason to rest a raft of senior players as so many Premier - and even some Championship - clubs often do.

Exceptions could be those going off on international duty next week like Hangeland, 27, who leads Norway for the first time in a World Cup qualifier against Iceland.

He said: "I've been captain before in a friendly but this is the big honour for me.

"My mind is still on the cup tie, though."