Arsene Wenger is delighted to have Danny Welbeck back fit again, but admitted supporters haven’t seen the best from the Arsenal striker.

The England international has been absent with a groin injury, but is set to make his return to first team action against Cologne. Wenger believes that the forward brings several qualities to the Arsenal team, and is very happy to have him available again.

“For me he is a striker with top physical qualities, good movement, he is a team player as well and he can score goals, he can provide, he can play through the middle, he can play on the flanks,” Wenger said, as reported by Football London.

“I believe he is a top class striker and on top of that he is loved by everyone in the squad. He is a fantastic guy on top of that. He is loved by everybody and we are all very happy he’s back because he has gone through difficult periods in these last three years and personally I am very happy he is back.”

Welbeck started the season in good form, scoring three goals against Leicester and Bournemouth and earning a starting spot against Chelsea. Such form could have gotten him back into the England squad. However, injuries have held him back.

Wenger, though, believes that a recall to Gareth Southgate’s squad will come so long as he’s performing every week for Arsenal.

“It is a big year for him, but I want it to be a big year for him for Arsenal because a consequence of that is that the best way to get to the World Cup is not to think ‘I have to prepare for the World Cup’, it’s to do well for your club.

“After you automatically are in the national team. We have a player next to me (Per Mertesacker) who has over 100 caps for Germany and he will tell you the best way to do that is to focus every day.”

Welbeck’s frequent injury problems means he’s yet to put together a consistent run of form in an Arsenal shirt. Wenger has admitted that we’ve yet to see the best of him, and that not being able to train every day has held him back.

“Today what is most important is that you have a constant presence in the competition. If you’re in and out you cannot be at your best,” he added. “It’s as simple as that. Even if you do not play every single game, you have to able to practise every day.”

Welbeck is in line to start against Cologne, having missed out on the North London derby last Saturday. He’ll be keen to find form again and give Wenger a selection headache ahead of the game against Burnley on Sunday.