Aubameyang is back with a Bang for Arsenal at Newcastle


Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang goal draught has come to an end as he  scored on his first start since recovering from malaria as Arsenal prepared for their Europa League showdown against Villarreal with a well deserved  win away to Newcastle at St James' Park.

Mohamed Elneny scored his first Premier League goal for the Gunners, before Aubameyang - on his first start since 3 April - secured the points in the second half.

"The last five minutes I was dying a little bit but to tell the truth I felt good for most of the game and I was happy with that," Aubameyang told sky sport.

"The doctors did incredible work with me and I am really pleased with them and have to say thank you to them."

Arsenal trail 2-1 after the away leg of their semi-final tie with Villarreal and victory in the north east of England was their first in four games.

The Magpies had an excellent April to distance themselves from the bottom three but they struggled to impose themselves on Sunday.

Steve Bruce's side, who lost Fabian Schar to a straight red card after a late challenge on Gabriel Martinelli, remain nine points above the relegation zone with four games remaining.

Arsenal, who host Villarreal on Thursday, move back above Aston .Villa into ninth place in the table 

Arsenal travelled to Newcastle in need of victory after what manager Mikel Arteta described as a bad week of results before kick-off.

A disappointing draw against relegation-threatened Fulham was followed by defeats at Everton and Villarreal.

But with morale low, the trip to St James' Park came at the perfect moment.

The Gunners had won their previous six games against the Magpies, keeping five clean sheets in the process, and they got off to an impressive start.

Elneny was the beneficiary when Aubameyang mistimed his shot, to open his league account on his 66th appearance.

Newcastle never got going and they registered just one shot on target, 

The hosts will have been boosted by Callum Wilson's return to the side in attack, but he was limited to just one touch in the opposition box in the first half.

Eight points from four unbeaten games in April looks as if it may have secured Premier League football for another season, but the Magpies' potency will be a concern during the summer.

Keeping top scorer Wilson, who is the only player to hit double figures (10) for the season, fit will be crucial for Bruce's side.

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