Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta: "We wanted to put draws into wins."

Goals from Aubameyang, Pepe, Ozil and Lacazette secured three points for the Gunners.

Arsenal celebrate at the Emirates [Sky Sports Screen Shot]

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta lauded his players after they beat Newcastle 4-0 at the Emirates on Sunday evening.

The Spaniard, who was delighted with how his team performed today, said he was eager to see his Gunners 'turn draws into wins' in order to close the gap on top teams in the Premier League.

Goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pepe, Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette secured three points for the north London side and following the win over the Magpies, Arteta told BBC Sport: "After the break we started saying we had to start closing the gap on the top teams and turn draws into wins. Today was the first opportunity and we’ve done it. All good.

"I'm so pleased for Laca [Alexandra Lacazette] – the reaction of the players and staff towards him. He fights hard for everyone. He’s been unlucky. He will gain confidence from this and knows how everyone appreciates him.

Lacazette celebrates at the Emirates [Sky Sports Screen Shot]

"Bukayo Saka is doing really well. He keeps his head down and wants to learn. He's peforming like a senior player.

"Dani Ceballos is a good example. He was injured and when he started to train I didn’t think he was fit enough. He completely changed his behaviour and trained like an animal. I thought he was the best player on the pitch."

Ozil and Shkodran Mustafi at the Emirates [Sky Sports Screen Shot]

Speaking to Sky Sports the Arsenal boss added: "We wanted to put draws into wins and the home form is going to be vital. It was a little bit slow and you can get frustrated but we started to manage the game better after 25 minutes, had a talk at half time and improved in the second half.

"In the final third we were poor in the first 25 minutes. The most important thing is the reaction of all the players and staff towards him [Alexandre Lacazette], the players, everybody really likes him he works so hard for the team."

On competing for a European place and Manchester City, he replied: "Ten days ago I was disappointed with the draw at Burnley and it looked so far away. Now it's up to us to put a run together.

"Very difficult. [I am] Not conflicted at all. I want the best for Manchester City, for Pep, for the players. The only thing I want for them was positive and good things. I want us to do the best we can to achieve what we can deserve."

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