Arsenal captain, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, has admitted he was “dying a little bit” after making his first start in a month.
The Gabon striker scored the second goal, as the Gunners won 2-0 at Newcastle, ending a six-game goal drought.
The 31-year-old returned to Mikel Arteta’s starting XI, having fully recovered from a bout of malaria.
Illness had restricted him to a bit-part role at Emirates Stadium over recent weeks, but 78 useful minutes were taken in at St James’ Park ahead of a crucial Europa League semi-final clash with Villarreal on Thursday.
Aubameyang told reporters of making a first start since April 3: “At the end for the last five minutes I was dying a little bit. But to tell the truth, I felt good the whole game so I was really happy with that.
“I have to say that the doctors did incredible work with me, bringing me to the hospital and stuff like that. I’m really thankful for them.”