NEWCASTLE UNITED winger Gabriel Obertan admits a top-four finish is unlikely after Monday's 2-1 loss to Arsenal, but insists the club's European dream is not over.

The last-minute defeat to the Gunners saw Newcastle slip eight points behind Arsene Wenger's side in fourth place with ten games remaining.

Until now, the Magpies have clung onto the possibility of a top four-finish after an impressive season, but two wins from their last eight has seen Alan Pardew's men overtaken by Chelsea and Arsenal.

While they have more or less accepted ending in a Champions League place is out of the question, Obertan insists the squad still believes they can qualify for next season's Europa League and admits they feel they have a point to prove on home soil after two successive draws.

"We still believe about Europe," Obertan said, who will hope to retain his starting place at home to Norwich City on Sunday.

"We will try and make it. Monday was important to that but it is not over.

"We will try to get into the Europa League now because the top four looks unlikely.

"We want to prove a point at home. We want five wins from five home games.

"We have to attack Norwich and I hope to be able to play my part.

"We will just take every game as it comes and hopefully we'll have Europe at the end of the season.

"It was very disappointing to lose like that against Arsenal. To go one up was excellent and things seemed to be going to plan, but then to concede straight away put us onto the back foot again. That was frustrating.

"We were a bit unlucky, I felt. To lose that in extra time or added time was very disappointing for us. We left a lot of energy and fight on the pitch so it was very disappointing.

"We played quite well, but it is a sign of how well we have done that we are disappointed.

"The gaffer was not angry with us, he said he had nothing bad to say about us or the game afterwards. There were some positives from this game."

Obertan was recalled to Pardew's starting line-up for the first time in a month at the Emirates, but rather than his usual wide position, the Frenchman was used in a more central role.

The 23-year-old's work rate has been praised by Pardew on a number of occasions this term, but the former Manchester United man has found it more difficult to win over supporters.

But Obertan admits he is just happy to be playing again and insists he is eager to repay the faith his manager has shown in him so far.

He said: "I am delighted to get a chance. The manager has showed faith in me and I want to repay him.

"On Monday it was a different position for me. I felt I did OK - I tried to do what the manager had asked me to do.

"I stayed back in midfield more and was asked to cut off the play to their wingers as much as possible. I did the best I could, unfortunately we lost but that is football - as I say.

"It is obviously difficult to play a different role and come back after time out but it is exciting too.

"Just to be playing football again is very exciting after a long time out but yes, it takes time to get back into it. You do not have the same rhythm as when you play every week so maybe I just need one or two games to get my sharpness back.

"I was delighted to be on the pitch even though I was disappointed with the way the game ended."