Newcastle forward Callum Wilson says he was "licking his lips" as he looked forward to facing Arsenal's defence ahead of all but ending the Gunners' Champions League hopes in a 2-0 victory.
Forward Wilson returned from injury to lead the line for the Magpies on Monday night at St James' Park, and the England international forced an own goal from Ben White to open the scoring.
Wilson again caused chaos in the visiting defence in the latter stages of the game, and Bruno Guimaraes followed up his effort to double the lead with five minutes remaining.
The Gunners came into the match with defensive issues after Rob Holding was sent off in last week's North London derby defeat to Tottenham, who now seem set to take fourth spot on the final day, and Wilson - who played on after losing a tooth in the match - says he couldn't wait to take advantage.
"It was an unbelievable atmosphere. Early on in the season everyone wrote us off and we were relegated by Christmas time. But we've dug deep and proved everybody wrong," Wilson told Sky Sports.
"I've noticed a difference [coming back into the team]. I'm getting a lot more chances and we're keeping the ball better.
"I watched Arsenal the other night and I knew their centre-backs had injury problems. As a striker I was licking my lips.
"I've worked so hard [to get back to fitness]. When you're out injured you want to come back and make a difference."
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta was furious at the manner of his side's defeat, and lamented their performance.
“Normally I can defend [the players]," he told BBC Sport.
" Newcastle were 100 times better than us in every department from beginning to end. It is hard to accept the reality of what happened on that pitch.
“We didn’t cope with it, we didn’t compete. We didn’t get into the game and lost every duel. Every aspect we were second best. Newcastle deserved to win by a bigger margin.
“We have to swallow the poison we feel and start again.
“Today was about competing and we were nowhere near the level we have to be at to play in the Champions League.
“I am maximum responsible. The players have created an expectation this season and I always defend them but tonight it is really difficult to do."
