You can search far and wide for the answer to a problem , but sometimes it is right under your nose . When Arsene Wenger sent Francis Coquelin on loan to Charlton in November it looked to be the final nail in the Frenchman 's Arsenal career . The Gunners manager admitted as much recently , revealing he was prepared to let the midfielder leave in December . Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin ( right ) controls the ball during his side 's win against QPR . The Frenchman wore a protective mask at Loftus Road after fracturing his nose against Everton . Coquelin , pictured challenging Sandro , has become the Gunners ' midfield enforcer in recent months . But a spate of injuries in midfield saw Wenger recall Coquelin in December . The 23-year-old has n't looked back . He 's grasped his chance to become a key member of Arsenal 's midfield with both hands , despite his reluctance to return to Arsenal from Charlton fearing he 'd simply be warming the bench . There 's an argument to suggest he 's the most vital component in Wenger 's plans at the present moment ; the central midfield enforcer they 've been crying out for in recent years . Just weeks after his Arsenal career looked to be drawing to a close , Coquelin is on the verge of agreeing a new long-term contract to stay at the Emirates Stadium . Wenger would like to say Coquelin 's emergence has been pre-planned ; a managerial masterstroke that has helped Arsenal turn their stuttering league form around . But that is far from the case . Coquelin played five games on loan at Charlton this season but has returned to be a first team regular . Coquelin 's stint in the first team has earned him a new long-term contract with the Gunners . The Frenchman midfielder has propelled himself above compatriot Mathieu Flamini in the pecking order . Following three substitute appearances after his return from the Valley , Coquelin was handed a rare start against West Ham on December 28 in place of the injured Mathieu Flamini . He has n't looked back . His energetic and mature displays alongside Santi Cazorla in central midfield have been a revelation - none more so than in the win at Manchester City in January . The concern with Coquelin has always been about his physical stature . Can his slender frame handle the rough and tumble of Premier League football ? He 's answered those questions unequivocally in recent weeks . Having fractured his nose in the recent win over Everton , the midfielder insisted upon playing on - only coming off in injury time after taking another blow to the face . Three days later he was back on the pitch , sporting a protective mask , in the narrow win over Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road . He 's waited so long to prove himself in an Arsenal shirt , Coquelin 's wo n't let a broken nose keep him on the sidelines now . Gunners boss Arsene Wenger admitted that he was willing to let Coquelin leave the club before his return . Wenger is still interested in Southampton 's defensive midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin ( left ) Coquelin , pictured in training , still needs to convince Wenger that he can play for Arsenal long-term . The big question is whether Coquelin is the long-term answer to Wenger 's holding midfielder conundrum . After failing to sign an enforcer last summer , the Gunners will be back in the market for a midfield ball winner once more at the end of the season despite Coquelin 's emergence . Morgan Schneiderlin , for the time being , is favourite to land the role provided Arsenal can strike a deal with Southampton , who will want at least £25milliom . That would leave Coquelin 's regular place in Wenger 's team selections under threat . For now Coquelin will be focusing on keeping his place in the team until the end of the season . The returns of Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere following injury spells will cast further questions over the Frenchman 's role . But , for now , the shirt is Coquelin 's to lose . Having waited so long for this chance - he 'll be desperate to keep it that way .
Arsenal were set to release Francis Coquelin this summer . But he is now on the verge of signing a long-term contract at Arsenal . The Frenchman has impressed since returning from a loan at Charlton . Arsene Wenger remains interested in Southampton 's Morgan Schneiderlin . Coquelin must prove he can keep his place at Arsenal for years to come . READ : Schneiderlin denies Arsenal deal but refuses to commit to Saints . CLICK HERE for all the latest Arsenal news .