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Per - Returning players are vital

Per Mertesacker says the players returning from injuries will prove to be vital additions to Arsenal's squad.

Lukas Podolski, who made his first appearance since August, scored and got an assist as the Gunners came back from a goal down to beat West Ham 3-1 on Thursday.

And with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also nearing a return to the side, Mertesacker thinks these players will boost the squad during a busy period.

"You need to get the right additions with players who come back from injury"

Per Mertesacker

"We need the right additions," Mertesacker told Arsenal Player. "We said that a lot in the summer then Mesut Ozil came.

"But at this time, in a very special period that only happens in England, you need to get the right additions with players who come back from injury.

"We lost Aaron Ramsey [against West Ham] so a good player is maybe out for two or three weeks so we need the right additions now. We have a good squad and that's going to be vital in the next couple of weeks."

The win over the Hammers was Arsenal's since beating Hull City at the beginning of December and Mertesacker believes the comeback needed character.

"During the game we always believed in our strengths," he said. "We want to go on another good run so at the minute we are really proud that we came back today and it shows our character."

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