Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has thanked the medics who helped him fight his way back from malaria.

The 31-year-old striker scored the Gunners' second goal in a 2-0 Premier League win at Newcastle on Sunday, his first start since contracting the illness while on international duty with Gabon, and could now be in line to play a significant part in Thursday night's second leg Europa League semifinal clash with Villarreal.

Asked how he felt after getting 77 minutes under his belt on Tyneside, Aubameyang told the club's official website: “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.

“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."