Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has praised his teammate Francis Coquelin for the progress that he made at the club last season.

The 24-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough campaign at the Gunners and has become a mainstay in the side after returning from a loan spell at Charlton Athletic last November.

He was recently voted as the club's second-best player of the season, and Szczesny has spoken of his delight that the midfielder has finally been able to show his quality.

"I've been here with Francis for seven years and we've always seen amazing potential," Szczesny told Arsenal's official website. "Every time out there on the training field he was always the best player, back in the Under-18s or the reserves.

"He was something special. His desire, his workrate and his ability to make tackles and interceptions is something incredible. I was quite surprised by how late Francis made his breakthrough. I know it's very difficult to come into a team like Arsenal at quite a young age but I was quite surprised by it. I was expecting him to do it much sooner. So I'm delighted for him.

"He's made the biggest impact this season. Since he came in, we look really solid defensively. He's not a flash player, he doesn't like to go past people. He doesn't get assists and he doesn't score many goals, but the work he does for the team is incredible."

Coquelin made 30 appearances for Arsenal last season.