Welbeck more motivated after injury lay-off: Arsenal manager Wenger

London, April 2 (IANS) Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that forward Danny Welbeck is a more motivated player after returning to action from a 10-month spell on the sidelines with an injury.

Welbeck has been in excellent form since returning from his long-term knee injury in February. The 25-year-old England football international has given the Arsenal attack a more lethal look than they had for the last few months.

While some players take time to re-adjust after returning from injury lay-offs, Welbeck looks sharper now than he did before.

"I think it is not physical, it is mental. He looks like he realised he has to add something to his game. Maybe he was frustrated as well to be out for the first time for a long, long period. It has loaded him with mental determination. Before, he looked not certain of his game when he came to the finishing. But now he looks much more assertive in his game," Wenger told the local media here on Friday.

"(Motivation) is always a combination of both external influence, and the suffering helps. I am convinced of that. I read a recent study where it is scientifically proven that somebody, to get to the utmost of his talent, really has to suffer, to go through a period of suffering. That is why I am very grateful to the press," he added.

Despite possessing loads of speed, scoring goals has not been Welbeck's strength. But Wenger is confident that Welbeck could improve even now, at 25 years old, just as other players of a similar profile have before him.

"It is a bit unusual. But I have seen it before, especially from players who moved from the flanks to the middle. We have seen that with (Pierre-Emerick) Aubameyang now at Borussia Dortmund, he was a very poor finisher on the flank. We have seen it with Thierry Henry. Hopefully we will see it with Welbeck as well. Mentally he looks ready for the challenge," Wenger said.

"Danny has all the qualities that you need in the modern game. He has pace, he has stature. If he adds that finishing quality he has all that you need," he added.