Carl Jenkinson fascinated everyone with his 32 appearances at right back last season for the Hammers. His efforts contributed to West Ham qualifying for the Europa League and now the full back has rejoined the club on loan, while signing a new, long-term contract with parent club Arsenal.
Fellow Arsenal teammate and close friend, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, admitted his delight at seeing Jenkinson do so well: “It was brilliant to see him play as many games as he did last year and he played amazingly well,” the midfielder told Arsenal Player.
“I kept up to date and watched him whenever I could.
“To see him bombing on down the wing and getting forward as much as he did, I think he’s really progressed his game in that sense and he really does like it there at West Ham.”
Jenkinson made a number of strong relationships at the club and established himself as first choice starting right back whilst on loan at Upton Park and the 23-year-old will now enjoy another season away from the Emirates for the 2015/16 campaign.
“He says it’s a great group of lads and he loves playing for the club. It is a massive club and he’s almost quite a local lad in Essex around that way so he’s fitted in really well there.
“As long as he keeps progressing there then that’s great for him and at the same time it’s great for Arsenal because that’s a great right back there developing. Hopefully he has another really good season with a lot of games and can push on again.”
Jenkinson’s new contract shows that his future at Arsenal has been confirmed, while Hector Bellerin, who had a breakthrough season, young Calum Chambers, and Mathieu Debuchy are all still in the mix for the right back position at Arsenal.
