Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has spoken after his first start since contracting malaria.
Aubameyang missed four games after contracting the virus but returned off the bench in the Europa League semi-final first leg with Villarreal on Thursday.
But on Sunday, the 31-year-old started for the first time since his spell on the sidelines, playing 78 minutes and scoring the second of the Gunners' goals in the 2-0 win at St James' Park.
The goal was an excellent finish from Aubameyang, who glided through the air before poking home, but the Gabon international gave the credit to Gabriel Martinelli, who again impressed during the game, providing the assist for the goal.
"It was a great goal. I think Gabi did incredible work today and he gave me this assist as well," he told the club website. "All credit to him. I was really happy to score.
"I have to say, when you are out for a few weeks you realise how good it is to be back on the pitch. I was really happy to be back first and scoring a goal."
While the minutes were important for Aubameyang after a spell out, he admits it was tough playing 78 minutes before Nicolas Pepe took his place.
"At the end for the last five minutes I was dying a little bit," he added. "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."
After three straight defeats and four without the win, the three points was hugely important for Arsenal ahead of that all-important Europa League semi-final second leg with Villarreal on Thursday.
"We needed this one," Aubameyang said. "I think after a few games without winning, it was important to win just before our important game on Thursday. It's good for the confidence for all the team.
"It was really important to take some confidence and win this game. We know that we will need everyone to be ready on Thursday. We saw that today, everyone was ready and hopefully we can go through."
