The 30-year-old French centre-half arrived at the Emirates for €4million in August and has played a major role for his new club so far this season.
Squillaci has started eight games for the Gunners since his arrival because Thomas Vermaelen is still battling an Achilles problem, and he will line up against Manchester City on Sunday.
Wenger believes he helps the more inexperienced players in the side, especially fellow centre-half Johan Djourou, and he has been pleased with his impact.
"Squillaci is a leader," the Arsenal manager said. "He is a quiet one, but he speaks a lot when you observe the game - he speaks to the midfielders, to Johan a lot, to the full-backs.
"He has a quiet, reassuring presence at the back."
Squillaci moved to North London from Spanish outfit Sevilla, having previously plied his trade in France.
He feels settled at Arsenal and is enjoying his time with the club - especially working under compatriot Wenger.
"He is hugely respected in the world of football, and it is great to be able to work with a manager like him," Squillaci said.
"Even if I am 30, I still want to improve and with him I will do that. It is very important for me.
"It is a different style of play to the Spanish league. I am working hard at training to cope with the physical aspect.
"We are playing an offensive game, so we need to stay strong at the back.
"We have played good games and others not so good, so we are working hard in training to become stronger at the back."
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