Abu Dhabi: The impressive Manuel Lanzini, on loan to West Ham United from Al Jazira, has said he used the Arabian Gulf League as a stepping-stone to the English Premier League.

Lanzini, 22, who was an integral part of the Al Jazira side in the 2013-14 season under Belgian coach Eric Gerets, has emerged as a mainstay for West Ham.

The attacking midfielder scored against Liverpool, Crystal Palace, Everton and Spurs before succumbing to a thigh injury against West Bromwich Albion at the end of November.

Since then, eighth-placed West Ham have failed to score a goal, drawing their last three matches 0-0.

“It was a good experience in Abu Dhabi,” said Lanzini. “It’s on a different level to the Premier League or La Liga, or the Argentinian league, but it’s growing and they’re putting a lot of money in.”

In the company of Gerets at Al Jazira, the Argentinian scored seven goals and was involved in 70 per cent of assists as the club came second in the league.

Lanzini’s partner in crime at Al Jazira was former Juventus and Roma striker Mirko Vucinic – who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season through.

And the attacking midfielder’s learning experience in the UAE helped him earn the move to England, Lanzini insisted.

“It was a decision I made with my family,” Lanzini told the Daily Mail of the move to UAE football.

“I tried to use it as a step to Europe, and to help me develop and learn, playing with high-level footballers. I was 21 and looked up to experienced players like Vucinic and Jucilei, who has played in Brazil and Russia.”

“There were several offers to come to Europe. All were sort of loan deals and West Ham was the best for me. It is a well-organised club where I can develop as a footballer and a human being.

“There’s a great group of players with several Spanish speakers, and coaching staff with faith in me who give me confidence. London is one of the great cities of the world, everyone wants to see it. The Premier League is fast and dynamic, it suits my game. It has all made the adaptation process easier. I’m very comfortable here.”

Having already won the hearts of Hammers fans, West Ham manager Slaven Bilic is expected to make Lanzini’s loan move permanent at the end of this campaign.

“I hope to be sitting here next season in this dressing room,” Lanzini said.

“It’s what I want. When you’re at a club and feeling like you have an important role, you want to stay. But I am focused on this season. I have six or seven months of my loan to run so we’ll see what happens.”

Al Jazira’s head of performance analysis and sports science, Liam Weeks, told the British newspaper: “We knew as soon as he arrived that he wouldn’t stay long.”

Weeks added: “The Middle East used to be a graveyard for players but that’s started to change. We want players in their prime who want to progress, not just those who come for the pay-cheque and to relax.

“So it makes it difficult to keep a player when someone comes in from Europe like West Ham. There is still a keen interest here in Lanzini. He was popular. They all follow him and talk about him,”

said Weeks, who plays a central role in the club’s recruitment strategy.

Weeks is certain Lanzini has the talent to make it to the very top and believes he is capable of playing in the Champions League.

In the meantime, his manager revealed he will be back from injury to face Southampton on Monday.

Lanzini was expected to be out until the New Year with the thigh injury.

However, Bilic, whose side face Aston Villa on Boxing Day, said: “Lanzini is progressing and will probably be available for the Southampton game.”

Lanzini’s return will ease the injury problems at West Ham, who are without a win in seven matches.

Bilic also confirmed that Dimitri Payet, who has had an ankle injury, could face Liverpool on January 2.

“It is good news that Dimitri Payet is ahead of schedule,” he said.