text: Mesut Ozil has avoided a fine after being spotted in a nightclub just hours after missing the win at Newcastle through illness. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has spoken to Ozil about the incident and insists he is satisfied with the £42.5million man's explanation. Given he missed the clash at St James' Park with a cold, his appearance at a Berlin nightspot raised eyebrows, but Wenger said: 'He went out for 30 minutes for a friends birthday, I was satisfied with his explanation.' Arsene Wenger has chosen not to sanction Mesut Ozil for going to a Berlin nightclub hours after missing Arsenal's Premier League clash with Newcastle United last month . Ozil explained to Wenger that he had attended a friend's birthday and was only in the club for 30 minutes . Quizzed on whether he was getting soft on discipline, Wenger bristled: 'I’m not going soft on discipline. I’ve fined people when they work for us and don’t respect the discipline. 'On that front I don’t think you can stop anybody from wishing happy birthday to a friend when he is in his own country.' Speaking ahead of Saturday's showdown with Liverpool, the Frenchman confirmed that Mikel Arteta, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Wilshere, Mathieu Debuchy and Abou Diaby had all returned to training but weren't yet ready to make their return. Forward Danny Welbeck could make the side at the Emirates after missing England's friendly with Italy on Tuesday with a knee injury sustained in the Euro 2016 qualifying win over Lithuania. Wenger praised Welbeck's contribution to the side, despite scoring just eight times in 29 club appearances since his £16m move from Manchester United on deadline day back in September. When asked whether Welbeck had been unfairly overlooked for England, Wenger said: 'Maybe. I don’t overlook him personally because he’s played many, many games for us and I think he’s an important player who contributes a lot. 'Not only does he now score goals, but as well contributes a lot to the team work. He’s a team player and I believe technically he has improved a lot. Danny Welbeck could return to the Arsenal side for Saturday's showdown with Liverpool after a knee injury . Wenger confirmed that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had returned to training after injury . April 4 Liverpool (H) April 11 Burnley (A) April 18 Reading (Wembley) FA Cup semi-final . April 26 Chelsea (H) May 2 Hull City (A) May 9 Swansea City (H) May 16 Manchester United (A) May 20 Sunderland (H) May 24 West Bromwich Albion (H) 'When you look at him now I believe that technically he is much more mature, more composed in front of goal, the quality of his runs is getting better and he has huge, huge attributes.' The talk of the international fortnight has been about whether Welbeck will lose his place in the England side to Tottenham hotshot Harry Kane, who also found the net at Wembley on Friday night. Wenger said: 'We are not there yet. Harry Kane played one game and it’s good for England to have many options and to choose the best one. 'Welbeck until now has always been the chosen best one and I don’t see how on Friday night Roy Hodgson could change his mind.' Arsenal have won their last six Premier League matches, leaving them third in the table, some seven points behind leaders Chelsea. But Wenger believes it is still a tall order to win the league despite their excellent recent form. Arsenal are currently seven points behind leaders Chelsea in the Premier League table . Wenger backed Welbeck to keep his England place despite Tottenham striker Harry Kane's scoring debut . He said: 'We have the aspiration to win the next game and that’s quite good enough. After that, win the next one. 'What is mathematically possible you have to try to achieve but that doesn’t depend only on us. What does only depend on us in the final run is our performances and our results, so let’s focus on that. 'After that if everything goes for us, you never know, but you can only master your own performances so let’s focus on that and be realistic and continue to earn the right to win the games. That’s what we want.' Martin Skrtel powered home a stoppage time header to earn Liverpool a 2-2 draw against Arsenal at Anfield . Mathieu Debuchy had earlier been on target for Arsenal when the teams met back in December . While Arsenal are unlikely to claim the title, they could put another dent in Liverpool's top four ambitions, bruised after their 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United before the international break. Wenger said: 'Liverpool is a good side, there is always a good game at the Emirates and at Liverpool as well. 'I have a big respect for the club, but I am just focused on the game and focused to produce the performance we have produced recently, and make sure that the right commitment is there to win the game.'
target: Ozil will not be sanctioned for being spotted in Berlin nightclub .
  It came hours after missing match at Newcastle through illness .
  German star explained to Wenger that he was attending friend's birthday .
  Arsenal play Liverpool at the Emirates on Saturday lunchtime .
  Danny Welbeck could return after knee injury suffered on England duty .
  Gunners trail Premier League leaders Chelsea by seven points .