Arsenal: Francis Coquelin Can Have a Jack Wilshere-Sized Influence This Season

They differ in ways far more distinct than playing style. While Jack Wilshere wows with his technical ingenuity, hearkening flashbacks to the midfielding superstars of past lore, Francis Coquelin offers a more direct approach, electing for substance ahead of flash.

Coquelin, who returned from a season-long loan spell in 2010-11 with French Ligue 1 side FC Lorient (Wilshere spent the spring of 2010 on loan with Bolton Wanderers), has seized the playing time offered to him this season, establishing himself as a solid first-team option in the wake of countless injuries that have decimated the side.

Before his rapid ascent to fame and renown in 2010-11, Wilshere was considered a prodigious talent, but one that would take time to foster.

He was expected to contribute that season, but with Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas ahead of him in the midfield pecking order, it seemed he might find his path to first-team football somewhat mitigated.

Arsenal has continually proved to be an environment where skill takes precedence over all other factors. If you are good enough, you will play, no matter your age.

The two youngsters (Wilshere is 19, Coquelin 20) have done just that by displaying an innate knack for showing up during the most important of matches.

Wilshere drew raves for his performance during Arsenal's epic victory over Barcelona at the Emirates in last season's Champions League Round of 16, and Coquelin, minus one or two minor errors in distribution, was immense during Sunday's north London derby with Tottenham.

The 2-1 loss to their hated rivals leaves a decidedly more bitter taste than the champagne-soaked aura emanating from the Barcelona victory, but Coquelin's performance was a bright point amid an ever-onrushing tide of darkness at White Hart Lane.

That time spent on loan in Bretagne under the watchful eye of Lorient manager Christain Gourcuff, who earned headlines this past week for comparing his side's footballing ethos with that of Arsenal, looks to have done the Frenchman a world of good.

The French league is a far cry from the pacy affairs that dot the Premier League season, but Coquelin has looked assured on the ball, committed in his defensive efforts and keen in his distribution from his holding midfield role.

He has a propensity for flair about him as well, as several of his lofted passes Sunday were perfectly weighted, hitting their intended targets in stride.

Wilshere's form was scintillating enough to earn the former Gunners youth product a place in the 2010-11 PFA Team of the Year.

He quickly rose to become an integral cog in the Arsenal footballing system, displaying a precocious cool and calm on the ball, unusual for such a young player in such a physically demanding league.

That dreadful mistake against Liverpool in the first game of 2010-11, which resulted in a goal for the Merseysiders, was quickly muted amid the consistent thrum of brilliant performances throughout the course of the season.

Coquelin could do just that this year. While his playing time could be slighted by Alex Song's near-cemented spot in that holding midfield role (earned through years of good work), the current injuries thrashing Arsenal's defensive options have given the French youth international his opportunity to play. And to his credit, he's seized it.

Now, to see if he can continue that form over the course of the season.