Vermaelen lifts Emirates roof

There hasn’t been a transformation like this in football since Emmanuel Eboue went from boo-boy to folk hero because when Thomas Vermaelen scored a dramatic last-minute goal against Newcastle it turned the Emirates into a cauldron of passion and Arsenal into serious contenders for third place.

Arsene Wenger’s team, who not so long ago were so down and out that they were booed by their own fans and written off by just about everyone, completed a memorable return to form, standing just a point behind Spurs who had looked certain to make third place their own until just a month ago.

Three defeats in a row for Harry Redknapp’s side and three victories for Wenger’s men (four if you include a 3-0 triumph over Milan in the Champions League) have turned Arsenal’s season around in remarkable fashion.