<text>  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 Frenchmans 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 sides 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 hasnt looked back. Hes grasped his chance to become a key member of Arsenals midfield with both hands, despite his reluctance to return to Arsenal from Charlton fearing hed simply be warming the bench. Theres an argument to suggest hes the most vital component in Wengers plans at the present moment; the central midfield enforcer theyve 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 Coquelins 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 . Coquelins 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 hasnt 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? Hes 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. Hes waited so long to prove himself in an Arsenal shirt, Coquelins wont 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 Southamptons 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 Wengers 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 Coquelins 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 Coquelins regular place in Wengers 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 Frenchmans role. But, for now, the shirt is Coquelins to lose. Having waited so long for this chance - hell be desperate to keep it that way. 