European round-up: Aubameyang and Ibrahimovic each scores a brace

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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates after scoring their team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium in London, England, January 18, 2021. /CFP

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returned to scoring form with a double as Arsenal got a comfortable 3-0 win over Newcastle on Monday.

The Gunners were facing an unlikely battle for survival less than a month ago, but 13 points from a possible 15 have lifted Mikel Arteta's men into 10th and within seven points of the top four.

Despite Aubameyang doubling his tally of league goals from open play this season, it was again Arsenal's dynamic young duo of Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka who caught the eye as the later slotted home the hosts' second goal in between the captain's brace.

Newcastle remains firmly in a relegation fight after a ninth consecutive game without a win despite Steve Bruce making eight changes.

AC Milan's Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic goes for the ball during the Serie A match between Cagliari and AC Milan at the Sardegna Arena in Cagliari, Italy, January 18, 2021. /CFP

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice on his first start in two months as AC Milan beat Cagliari 2-0 on Monday to pull ahead of city rivals Inter on top of the Serie A table.

Ibrahimovic got the first from the penalty spot after seven minutes, adding a second just after the break in Sardinia.

Milan, targeting their first league title since 2011 when Ibrahimovic last played in the team, pull three points ahead of Inter who beat champions Juventus 2-0 in the San Siro on Sunday.

The 39-year-old Swede proved he has returned to his best after injury.

He brought his tally to 12 goals in eight games with five doubles, including a brace on November 22 against Napoli, when he picked up a thigh injury.

Cagliari, just above the relegation zone in 17th position, fall to their fifth consecutive defeat on an 11-match winless run stretching back to November 7.

(With input from agencies)