Arsenal: Arsene Wenger confirms new deal for Carl Jenkinson ahead of West Ham return

Arsene Wenger has confirmed rumours that Carl Jenkinson has extended his contract at Arsenal while also appearing to claim a second stint at West Ham is a positive move to ensure the promising defender continues to benefit from regular first-team football next term.

Jenkinson, 23, initially joined the Hammers on a season-long loan deal in July 2014 having been forced down the right-back pecking order in north London following the arrivals of Mathieu Debuchy and Calum Chambers from Newcastle United and Southampton respectively.

The one-cap England international impressed with the consistency of his performances during 33 appearances under Sam Allardyce and reports from Sky Sports on Monday (13 July) claimed he was poised to return to Upton Park on a similar arrangement next season despite the arrival of a new manager in cult hero Slaven Bilic.

Such speculation also suggested Jenkinson had signed terms on a new five-year contract with Arsenal prior to reaching an agreement over a second spell at West Ham, this despite the recent emergence of pacey Spaniard Hector Bellerin as yet another rival for the right-back slot.

Neither that deal nor his latest loan move has so far been officially announced by either club, yet Wenger willingly revealed his rationale behind both decisions during a press conference held prior to his side's pre-season fixture against a Singapore Select XI in Kallang.

"We have three right backs already in Debuchy, Chambers and Bellerin," he explained to reporters as relayed by the London Evening Standard.

"But we do not want to lose Carl Jenkinson – and that is why I extended his contract. But I don't want four right-backs so this is a good compromise."

Jenkinson will be the latest arrival of a busy transfer window for West Ham, who have already completed deals for Marseille winger Dimitri Payet, Stephen Hendrie and former Birmingham goalkeeper Darren Randolph as well as Serie A duo Pedro Obiang and Angelo Ogbonna.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have made just one solitary signing so far this summer, with experienced goalkeeper Petr Cech joining from rivals Chelsea on a long-term contract having become increasingly disillusioned with his reduced role as back-up to Thibaut Courtois at Stamford Bridge.