Gilberto Silva believes Arsenal did well to come away from St James' Park with a point.
Midfielder content with 1-1 draw
Gilberto Silva believes Arsenal did well to come away from St James' Park with a point.
Sam Allardyce's Newcastle United were under pressure to perform on Wednesday evening following a torrid run of form.
And The Magpies responded to recent criticism with a gutsy display which saw them come from behind to draw 1-1.
Gilberto admits that it was a tough 90 minutes, while expressing his belief that the Gunners secured a 'good point'.
"We knew it would be hard and it was. Newcastle came into this game after some bad results so we knew it would be hard for 90 minutes. They didn't give up trying to win the game," he told the club's official website.
"It could have been better for us because we had a good start and scored the first goal but they put a lot of pressure on us. When they crossed the ball we didn't clear it very well and they scored. That happens sometimes and it is difficult.
Consistent run
"It would be great if you could win all the games but it is not like that, it is not that simple. They played a good game at home with the crowd behind them, shouting all the time.
"I think in general we had a good game and came back with a good point."
Gilberto also spoke of his hope that he might be in for a run of games after making just his fourth Premier League start of the season.
"It is nice to get a chance to play a full game but of course I am doing the best I can to get back in the team. I will see what happens but of course I want to play in the first XI and I will do my best to achieve that," he added.
"A big squad is important. At the moment we have a few injuries but we have other players who can do a great job. The manager needs to change the team in some positions but we keep the same spirit and the same way of playing."
Injury update
Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger admits Mathieu Flamini (thigh), Alex Hleb (hamstring), Cesc Fabregas (hamstring) and Robin van Persie (knee) are all unlikely to play at Middlesbrough on Sunday.
"No Fabregas, no Hleb, no Van Persie, no Flamini will be back for the weekend," he said.
