Arsenal FC: 10 Most Incredible Arsenal Memories of 2011-12 Season

This season has truly been a memorable roller coaster ride for Arsenal and the club's devoted fans.

To get to their final League position of third place, the Gunners went through more ups and downs than many can bear to remember. Humiliations at Old Trafford, Ewood Park and the Liberty Stadium were the lowest points of a turbulent campaign.

But amid all the tribulations were great moments that rallied the supporters and instilled faith in the team when times were tough. During a season that many would like to simply forget and write off, these moments cannot help but lodge themselves into the memory of every Gooner.

Let's look back at some of those that truly stand out and make us want to remember with fondness a season that our nails and hearts did not appreciate.

Robin van Persie's 100th Goal

During arguably the darkest time of the season for Arsenal—just after losing 4-3 at Blackburn and one game removed from the 8-2—a ray of light emerged in the form of a Dutch maestro.

With a brace against Bolton Wanderers in September, Robin van Persie became the seventh man to score 100 goals for Arsenal, a remarkable feat that puts him in position to be one of the club's all-time great players.

The fact that Van Persie had not seen that much playing time in recent seasons due to injury makes the feat that much more impressive, and he has since gone on to pass a number of club legends, including his idol, Dennis Bergkamp.

Arsenal's 125th Anniversary

When Arsenal celebrated their 125th anniversary ahead of a home match against Everton, everyone was treated to the sight of the legendary figures who made the club into what it is today.

It would have been a shame if the Gunners did not come away with all three points on their big reunion day. Robin van Persie was not having any of that.

Using an absolutely beautiful ball from Alex Song to full effect, Van Persie smashed in a sumptuous curling volley with the inside of his boot that left Tim Howard with no chance and gave Arsenal all the spoils.

That day, as with so many in the club's history, the score was 1-0 to the Arsenal.

Beating Chelsea

This was the game where you could really declare that Arsenal had "turned the corner" and were finally rounding into form during the fall.

In one of the most exciting fixtures of the season, the Gunners shocked Chelsea at their own ground by thumping them to the tune of 5-3.

The two sides matched each other strike for strike until John Terry fell over and Robin van Persie took full advantage on his way to scoring a hat trick for Arsenal, which secured victory.

It was then that we realized that this team might have something in it after all.

Thierry Henry's Goal Against Leeds

Thierry Henry's return to Arsenal was the type of the stuff that even Hollywood cannot write.

Against Leeds, a club that Henry had always had his battles with, the Frenchman took a great ball from Alex Song and placed it in the far corner with a trademark finish that evoked memories of years gone by.

One could sense the entire Emirates Stadium coming alive that night, as the prodigal son returned in stunning fashion to send Arsenal to the next round of the FA Cup.

That was truly a moment that every witness will not be able to forget.

Henry's Goal Against Sunderland

Thierry Heny's last goal for Arsenal was just as special as the first and continues to evoke warm memories.

When the Gunners were in need of a late boost, in was inevitably Henry who arrived to knock home a late winner against Sunderland and send the traveling contingent of fans into absolute euphoria.

You could see in the ensuing celebrations that Henry's goal meant as much to him as it did the fans at the game, who would catch the last glimpse of their hero in the Premier League.

A fitting farewell to an incomparable legend.

Beating AC Milan

Even though Arsenal never actually pulled off a remarkable comeback against AC Milan, the Gunners' brilliant performance was something that supporters could be proud of and cherish.

The team showed tremendous fight in scoring three first-half goals to roar back from a 4-0 first-leg deficit and put a huge team like Milan on the brink of crashing out in spectacular fashion.

Although a couple costly errors ultimately cost Arsenal the extra goal they needed, fans took some time to savor the fact that their team had just beaten AC Milan to the tune of 3-0, and it had some serious fight to it.

Arsenal may have been out of the Champions League at this point, but their confidence was only buoyed.

Beating Tottenham 5-2

This match was the definite turning point in Arsenal's season; the juncture where the team was choiced with humiliation or retaliation. And Bacary Sagna chose the latter.

Down 2-0 at home, the supporters were about to mutiny, and not even Arsene Wenger seemed to be safe. But up stepped Sagna, who decided he was having none of that and smashed in a header while out of position to spark a massive comeback.

Arsenal would go on to score four more goals that day, and the Gunners would soon go ahead of Spurs and into third place, which they would not relinquish through the end of the season.

Thomas Vermaelen's Goal Against Newcastle

During the period in which Arsenal saw Newcastle off at the Emirates, the Gunners had a habit of leaving it late to win games, and this one was no exception.

The two teams had scored goals within one minute of each other during the opening half of play, and while Arsenal dominated the latter stages of the game, the Magpies held firm.

That is until Thomas Vermaelen, in the fifth minute of stoppage time, got on the end of a last-ditch cross from Theo Walcott and smashed it past Tim Krul to win a match that would prove crucial in the race for the Champions League.

There were very few nights more filled with euphoria this season than that one.

Supposedly Seeing off Manchester City's Title Challenge

Remember when Manchester City were on the brink of falling out of the title race and basically conceding the Premier League to rivals Manchester United?

Well, City actually did.

It was thought that they needed a win at Arsenal to retain some hope of winning the League, which made Mikel Arteta's hammer blow off a late strike all the more sweet to Gunners fans.

Of course, we know what the Sky Blues did after that game, and the remarkable choke-a-thon between them and United that ensued. But it does not make that one Arteta strike any less precious.

Finishing Third and Sending off Pat Rice

For much of the season, if you had told me or many other rational Gooners that Arsenal would finish third this year, I would have audibly laughed in your face.

And yet, on the final day of the season, the red and white officially sealed their place in next season's Champions League and yet another finish over Tottenham Hotspur. The actual match was absolutely nerve-wracking, but the result was just what Arsenal needed it to be.

As an added bonus, the victory over West Brom provided the perfect way to send off long-time assistant manager Pat Rice, whose 44 years of service to the club is an almost unparalleled record of dedication.

It was quite sad to see old Rice go, and as the club moves forward, we will remember his tenure under Arsene Wenger with great fondness, as we should much of this past season.

Follow @charliemelman