Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker believes that the club's injury-ravaged squad damaged the Gunners' chances of winning the Premier League title.

The North London outfit led the way for the majority of the first half of the season, but are now focusing on qualifying for the Champions League.

Throughout the campaign, Arsenal have suffered injury blows to Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil.

"I think we have the potential in the squad to be a very promising side in terms of title races," FourFourTwo quotes Mertesacker as saying. "If you can't keep all your leading players fit all the time it makes it a lot more difficult. That's just a fact.

"I'm delighted we're getting some players back now. It is absolutely vital to have them back because we have suffered a lot in the second half of the season."

Arsene Wenger's men are currently in fourth place, one point above Everton and 10 points adrift of league leaders Liverpool.