Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck admits the Gunners had to work hard to take all three points from St. James' Park on Saturday afternoon.
By far one of the most impressive teams in the Premier League at the moment, Arsenal are favourites to finish in the top four as they also continue to keep the pressure on Manchester City in second.
"Getting the goals and the way we played in the first half set us up well," Welbeck told Arsenal's official website.
"We were a bit disappointed to concede the goal that let them back into the game because it made a lot harder for us to finish off with a comfortable win.
"I think in the first half we started very well. We got the two goals through Oli and went into half-time comfortable.
"We expected them to come out strong in the second half and they did that. They made it very difficult for us to get the three points in the end."
Meanwhile, the striker was full of praise for Olivier Giroud after the Frenchman scored another brace for the Gunners.
"Oli's been on flames and he's worked very hard to get the goals," Welbeck added.
"He's winning points for the team and I think collectively everyone has been very impressed with the way he's been playing in 2015.
"He's big and strong, and if defenders get tight to him, he can hold the ball up and bring others into play. I think we utilise that strength of his very well.
