"It's an unbelievable memory and one of those which I will never forget from my Arsenal career," Thomas Vermaelen told Arsenal's website, speaking on Lockdown podcast.
"I think Newcastle were a direct rival as well for the Champions League spots. That was an important game for us and I think we were very close in points. If they won, they would have gone above us.
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"It actually started from the back and I just remember going forward, not thinking. Luckily Theo [Walcott] crossed the ball and it just ended up in my feet. I didn't think, I just scored.
"The fans and the players were so happy and it’s one of the most important goals I scored in my Arsenal career. It was a nerve-racking time with the game against West Brom at the end of the season [we won 3-2 on the road in the closing fixture], but it's down to how the player copes.
"The build-up towards that game, you're building up tension and nerves. I think it's more nerve-wracking for the fans, the staff or the players on the bench who can't influence the game. When you're on the pitch and the whistle goes, you're focused on your game and the nerves go.
"It's more before the game that you realise how important the game is for everyone. Once the game is on, you just focus on that and try to do as well as you can."
The Gunners finished the 2011/12 season third, one point ahead of Spurs and five over the Magpies, who ended that campaign fourth and fifth respectively.
So eventually, Vermaelen's goal proved to be of immense importance in the final standings. Finishing fourth would only see us qualifying only for the Europa League as Chelsea secured their spot in the elite competition as the reigning champions even though they missed out on the top four.
