Francis Coquelin says Charlton loan helped him become established at Arsenal

Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin has claimed his loan spell at Charlton Athletic during the first part of the campaign has been crucial to redirect his career at the Emirates Stadium.

The 23-year-old star's future with the Gunners looked uncertain after he failed to establish himself in the first team since his arrival from Stade Lavallois in 2008, forcing him to move somewhere else on loan to secure playing time.

After an inconsistent last season in the Bundesliga with Freiburg, Wenger decided once again to send him on loan to Charlton as he was not in his plans.

But the French boss was forced to recall him last month in an attempt to address the injury crisis in the middle of the park.

"The manager called me for a reason, gave me my chance and I'm now trying to prove what I can do on the pitch. I've been here long enough so I know everyone quite well. Everyone made me very welcome, so I think [settling in] was easy," he said to Arsenal official website.

Coquelin has since taken advantage of the absences of both Mikel Arteta and Jack Wilshere to become a key player for Wenger, starting in all the last three Premier League games against West Ham, Southampton and Stoke City, as well as in the FA Cup game with Hull.

Wenger recently claimed he wants Coquelin "to have a future" at the Emirates Stadium while the player now added: "It's been a couple of exciting months for me."

"I've been out on loan to Charlton and that was a good experience for me. Now I'm back at Arsenal and playing again, so I'm enjoying it," Coquelin said.

"The Championship is a tough league. Maybe technically the Premier League is a little bit better but in terms of power, engagement in duels and challenges, I think the Championship is a very tough league. It helped me come back to the Premier League."

After an impressive performance during the trashing 3-0 victory over Stoke City on weekend, the French midfielder hopes to replicate the same luck in the next visit to Manchester City on Sunday, 18 January.

"Every year they come with a very strong team and are challenging for the title," the midfielder said. "They've bought a couple of great players as well so you know it's going to be a tough game. Every player plays to play these types of games, so it's going to be interesting."