Arsene Wenger hints Danny Welbeck could earn squad spot for Arsenal's Premier League clash against leaders Leicester

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Danny Welbeck could make the Arsenal squad for the first time this season against Leicester City on Sunday, but manager Arsene Wenger has hinted that defender Per Mertesacker would not start against the league leaders.

Welbeck has been sidelined since April with a knee injury while Mertesacker last played for the Gunners in the 1-0 loss to Chelsea on January 24.

'Welbeck is very close,' said the Frenchman. 'Fitness-wise he is there, it is just competition' 

Danny Welbeck could make the Arsenal squad for the first time this season against Leicester City on Sunday 

Welbeck was given an hour with Arsenal Under 21s earlier this week as he steps up his comeback

Leicester have great pace on the break and Wenger said he was likely to continue with his two quickest centre backs, Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel Paulista.

'I think sometimes I use a different formula,' Wenger said.

'Per Mertesacker is a great leader, but I have three centre backs and I adapt a little bit to their form, to the number of games they've played as well as to the opponent -- what is their strength and where they can hurt us.'

The Frenchman also confirmed that long-term injury absentees Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere would be challenging for a place in the squad in the next three to four weeks.

Arsenal snapped a three-game winless streak in the league when they beat Bournemouth 2-0 on Sunday.

'I believe there is still a long way to go,' Wenger added.

'We didn't win for a while so of course the pressure on the team was a little bit stronger. It was very important for us to win on Sunday and I think we are back to our normal level.

'We have to get the momentum back. We want to find consistency in our results for the season.'

Per Mertesacker (centre) and his lack of pace is a concern for Arsenal ahead of their match against Leicester

Gabriel (right) has started Arsenal's last three games in which the Gunners have only conceded one goal