Danny Welbeck's Dramatic Return Provides Boost to Arsenal's Title Challenge

Every great title victory tends to have a pivotal moment on which the campaign hinges. In 1997/98, Arsenal reflected on Marc Overmars' dramatic goal at Old Trafford. In 2003/04, the same stadium played host to an unseemly scrap that seemed to spur the Gunners on to glory.

Now Danny Welbeck’s late winner against Leicester City might have provided Arsenal’s 2015/16 season with the catalytic moment it needed.

The celebrations at full-time spoke volumes. A stoppage-time winner is always a wonderful thing, but this one felt particularly poignant.

First of all, it came against the league leaders in a crucial top-of-the-table clash. Had Arsenal failed to win, they would have been five points off the top and, perhaps more agonisingly, left in the wake of local rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

The win means the Gunners have snatched the momentum away from Leicester in the battle to ultimately lift the Premier League.

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Secondly, the goal was scored by Welbeck. The England international has been absent for 10 months with a knee cartilage problem, and this was his first appearance with the senior team. He was thrown on as an emergency measure, and he ended up being the hero of the day.

It was a spectacular return. Initially, Welbeck had not even been expected to figure in the matchday squad. Manager Arsene Wenger told Arsenal.com:

"

On Friday morning I was not convinced that I would include him in the squad, because I planned to play him next week.

I was going to give him one more week training, but his last two training sessions were so convincing that I decided to include him.

It paid off today, and we are all very pleased for him. 

"

Welbeck’s return is a major boost to Arsenal. Not too long ago, Wenger was forced to name a substitutes' bench with youngsters Alex Iwobi and Jeff Reine-Adelaide as his only attacking options.

Now, in Welbeck and Theo Walcott, he has two international calibre forwards waiting in reserve. Both men came off the bench to score against Leicester, and they will provide Wenger with variety and depth in the weeks to come. 

He’s a different style of striker to either Walcott or Olivier Giroud. In fact, Welbeck combines some of their best attributes. He has the electric speed of the former but the power of the latter.

The former Manchester United man is also blessed with a very good first touch and intelligent movement that allows him to both link the play and drag defenders out of position.

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The one thing missing from his game has been a clinical touch inside the penalty box. Despite his technical ability, Welbeck can be prone to moments of panic when presented with the opportunity to score.

Not so against Leicester. This was Arsenal’s last chance, and everyone inside the Emirates Stadium knew it. However, when Mesut Ozil’s cross was floated into the area, there was no hesitation from Welbeck. He used his forehead to glance the ball into the far corner, getting just enough purchase to deceive the diving Kasper Schmeichel.

His celebration was a release of a year of frustration. Welbeck has had to watch from the sidelines for months, and he must have feared for his place with both club and country. However, he’s immediately demonstrated his value.

The January transfer window may have shut a couple of weeks ago, but Arsenal fans will feel as if they are welcoming a new signing.

The chances are he’ll be heavily involved in the next few weeks. Arsenal face a hectic fixture schedule, so there is likely to be plenty of opportunity for Wenger to rotate his squad.

That will begin with the FA Cup tie against Hull City, in which Welbeck is likely to to start. It will be a sweet moment to be named in the starting XI once again.

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There could even be a role for him in some of Arsenal’s higher-profile games. The Gunners face daunting trips to the likes of Manchester United, Barcelona and Tottenham in the next month or so.

Although Welbeck made his mark against Leicester as a goalscorer, his team play and tremendous work ethic could make him an invaluable asset for those games.

Last season, Welbeck showed his worth at both Old Trafford and White Hart Lane, scoring against his former club and creating a goal in the north London derby with a brilliant run down the right.

It’s possible Wenger will seek to use the 25-year-old in wide areas again, as he offers a threat on the break as well as excellent protection for his full-back. 

It sounds as if wherever he is asked to play, Welbeck is delighted to be back.

The forward told Arsenal.com: 

"

It’s been a long time off the pitch, the longest period of time that I’ve spent off playing matches in my career. It’s difficult, and with a few head-losses along the way.

I think you’ve just got to try to stay positive. I had a lot of great help behind the scenes with the medical staff and with James Haycock, who worked with me personally and was great. I think hard work eventually pays off.

It was a wonderful feeling to get that winning goal at the end. It was just very important for us to get the three points.

"

The three points are absolutely crucial, and Arsenal will know they wouldn’t have got them without Welbeck in their ranks. Come the end of the season, it’s possible that Gunners fans will look back on his return to fitness as a hugely significant day in the title race.

Welbeck is by no means Arsenal’s most important player. However, he is developing a handy knack of making very important contributions.

Between now and the end of the season, there will be time and opportunity for him to further endear himself to the Gunners faithful.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout 2015/16. Follow him on Twitter here.