Robert Pires has claimed that Francis Coquelin is giving Arsenal something they have missed since his stay with the club.

Coquelin's impressive form since being handed a chance in midfield in January has attracted praise from a number of former Arsenal players, and Pires has followed the example by comparing the defensive midfielder to his fellow Frenchman to Patrick Vieira.

"Coquelin is a good player. He's really important for Wenger and the team. I believe a lot in him. He has a good future," the former Gunners winger told reporters.

"He's better defensively than their other midfielders. A warrior type.

"He puts more aggression into the position and that's important. He's more like a Patrick Vieira or Ray Parlour."

Arsenal take on Manchester United for a place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on Monday evening.