Mesut Özil is returning to Arsenal with boosted determination according to his manager, Arsène Wenger. The German midfielder, who has been out for three months with knee ligament damage, is back in contention for Sunday’s fixture against Stoke. “What he is is hungry,” Wenger said.

That, in fairness, is probably not the adjective that first springs to mind in association with Özil, a mercurial talent whose fragile body language had been under considerable scrutiny before his injury. “It was not a convincing start,” Wenger said of Özil’s early season flatness. But the enforced break, Wenger suggests, has toughened him up mentally as well as being physically punishing.

“When you come back having won the World Cup, even if I gave them the holiday they needed, the hunger is a bit artificial,” he said. “You have to be frustrated from competition and slowly get back to realise how much you miss it to come back to normal. I had that before with players. He looks hungry – he worked extremely hard to come back. He pushed himself to the limit of what you can absorb physically.” Wenger looked genuinely impressed as he imparted that information.

Arsenal expect enhanced resolve and fortitude from their record signing so he can show his best form. The example set by Alexis Sánchez during Özil’s rehabilitation shows just how effective the right mix of silk and steel can be. Lately the same could be said of Santi Cazorla, who has been influential in the pivotal role in attacking midfield – Özil’s preferred position.

Özil, who is expected to be on the substitute’s bench against Stoke, has a job on his hands displacing Cazorla. “It is not easy for him because Santi is playing very well, it’s a fight to get back to his best level,” Wenger said. “It’s a frustrating season for him as he has not contributed yet. There is now an opportunity to come back and to contribute to the team.”

With Theo Walcott also itching to play after a long absence, Aaron Ramsey back after a month out and Olivier Giroud available after suspension, Wenger is encouraged by the greater attacking possibilities at his disposal.

However, there is no certainty that the defence, in urgent need of stregthening, will be bolstered during the January window. “You cannot guarantee,” Wenger said. “If I give you the names of the clubs who are out with a lot of money to look for defensive players, it’s unbelievable.”

Is he confident, though, that a deal of some sort can be struck? “Yes,” he said with the straightest of straight bat expressions.