Per Mertesacker says Arsenal's quest for the Premier League title has been boosted by their big players returning from injury, reports Sky Sports.

Danny Welbeck came on to score a last-gasp winner against leaders Leicester on Sunday having not kicked a ball for 10 months.

Asked if the England striker has a crucial role for the season run-in, Mertesacker said: "Yes, he does. We need players coming back.

"We had a lot of long-term injuries and that's what gave us a bit of struggle in January because we played in December and then January with almost the same team.

"Players who gave us great energy stepped in but now we need other players to come back. Making the difference is very important in this league as you could see.

"We are happy to have Danny back and a few others are not far. We need all our players. In the end, that makes the difference. There's more coming from other players as well."

Mertesacker also praised the former Manchester United striker for proving doubters wrong as he hit one of Arsenal's most vital goals of the season.

The German World Cup winner added: "To go through a bad period, an injured period where he kept believing when everyone doubts him, it was a great chance for him to come in and show he is ready to give everything to the team, then things come back to you.

"He was always integrated in the team but when you feature on the pitch and give the team such a great goal and energy, it gives himself a big lift."