Former Arsenal captain Gilberto Silva has spoken of his admiration for Francis Coquelin.

The French anchorman was on loan at Championship side Charlton Athletic less than a year ago.

“He has improved a lot in a short space of time, and he's still young. But he still has some way to go," Gilberto told the London Evening Standard.

“He does a good job and an important job, when you're in his position you must hold the pitch for the team. He knows he doesn't need to go forward to help out the other Arsenal players.

“He's improving every game, he's developing a better understanding with the players around him. But he needs to show that over more than one season."