Welbeck came off the bench to head the winning goal in the fifth minute of stoppage-time at Emirates Stadium, as the Gunners came from behind to win 2-1 and move within two points of the 10-man visitors.
It was Welbeck’s first appearance since April after a knee injury and Wenger was thrilled with the former Manchester United striker’s impact after nearly leaving him out for another match.
“For him it is a fantastic day,” Wenger told Sky Sports. “I had a hesitation until the last second to put him in the squad.
“He was number 18 or 19 [on my list] but in the end I trusted the impression we got from his training sessions and thought ‘okay, let’s put him in’.”
Welbeck received a rapturous reception from his Arsenal team-mates in the dressing room after his late winner from Mesut Ozil’s free-kick.
Wenger added: “Everybody chanted his name because the players know a year out is 10 years in normal life for a football player. He is a great character as well and liked in the dressing room.”
Arsenal’s second-straight victory boosts their title hopes after they had previously gone four league matches without a win.
“It keeps us in it with many other teams,” Wenger said of the title race. “There is a long way to a go and we play a lot of big teams.
“We came out of a bad spell after four games without a win – we now win two games on the bounce. To still be in the fight after that spell is good and hopefully the result strengthens the belief of the team.
“We have a good chance. It was a pivotal moment because the mathematics meant it could be eight points or it could be two points and that is a great change.”
COMMENTS