Arsenal forward Theo Walcott believes that his strike against Wigan Athletic on Tuesday was one of his most important goals for the clubs as they close in on Champions League football.

After Shaun Maloney's free kick had cancelled out Lukas Podolski's opener, Walcott put the Gunners back in front on their way to securing a crucial 4-1 win at the Emirates Stadium.

The North Londoners go into the final game of the season with their fate in their own hands, which delights Walcott.

"It was one of my most important goals and hopefully there can be a few more next weekend," Walcott told Sky Sports News. "I am so proud of the guys because we deserved it.

"I felt like we had to take the initiative and make runs in behind, which we weren't really doing in the first half.

"The final ball wasn't the best at times and we weren't really putting people in the box, but in the second half we did that and it showed in the 4-1. It is in our hands, we always knew that was the case."

Arsenal travel to Newcastle United on the final day of the season this Sunday.