Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes Carl Jenkinson has a future at the Emirates - but maybe not until the season after next.
Wenger, speaking about the right-back's successful loan-spell at West Ham this season revealed that he had no desire to sell Jenkinson to United or any other club - but felt that the England Under-21 international may perhaps benefit from another season out on loan."I met Carl this week to speak about his future," Wenger told the press on Friday morning. "We will sit down together at the end of the season, but my target is to keep him here at the club.
"He has had a great season for me and he has moved forward. Overall, he has gained a lot of confidence. The decision I have to make is - do I bring him back now, or does he need one more year playing in the Premier League? It is not decided yet."
As revealed here on KUMB, West Ham approached Arsenal in January to establish whether a deal to sign Jenkinson on a permanent basis could be done.
And although the Gunners are understood to have considered West Ham's proposal it appears that the 23-year-old's success under Sam Allardyce has now worked against the Hammers by dissuading Wenger from releasing a player who has, until now, only been on the fringe of Arsenal's first team squad.
That could still prove to West Ham's considerable benefit however, for signing Jenkinson on loan again could save the Irons a purported £8million transfer fee - funds that may then be allocated to other areas of the team in need of strengthening this summer.
Jenkinson has made 33 appearances in all competitions for West Ham so far this season. You may view his match ratings and comments for the current season here.
Carl Jenkinson: Top three performances this season
(according to KUMB's match day writers)
25th October 2014: 2-1 v Manchester City (h)
Every now and then you read of someone anonymously returning a library book ten years after they borrowed it with a wad of notes for the fine. Couldn't we do the same with him – I'm sure Arsenal won't notice. 8/10.
13th December 2014: 1-1 v Sunderland (a)
Man of the Match. Need I say more? 8/10.
10th January 2015: 1-1 v Swansea (a)
Sound defensively and stretched Swansea with a number of lung-bursting runs on the right wing. Denied his first Hammers goal by a great save from Fabianski at the death. Man of the Match. 8/10.
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