Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger confirms defender Hector Bellerin will be rewarded with new contract

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed reports claiming defender Hector Bellerin will be offered a new contract.

With Mathieu Debuchy still sidelined following his second serious injury of the season, Bellerin has taken his opportunities in the first team and has made the right-back position his own in the Frenchman's absence.

Reports on 13 March said the former Barcelona youngster will now be offered a new long-term deal at the Emirates, something Wenger confirmed in his press conference ahead of the clash with West Ham United on 14 March.

Reports have also suggested a new long-term deal for Bellerin could signal the end of Carl Jenkinson's time at the club.

A signing from Charlton Athletic in 2011, Jenkinson has provided useful cover at right-back and occasionally centre-half but has never been truly able to nail down a first-team role. The arrival of Debuchy and Calum Chambers during the summer of 2014 saw the 23-year-old join West Ham on a season-long loan.

Earlier in 2015, Jenkinson made it clear he wishes to continue playing regular first-team football when his loan deal expires, something that could pave the way for his exit from north London this summer.

But Wenger has stressed a new deal for Bellerin does not necessarily mean the end for Jenkinson's Arsenal career. He said: "Will it [Bellerin's new deal] impact on Carl Jenkinson? At the moment in my head, no."

Arsenal can consolidate their place in third in the Premier League table but are on the brink of elimination from the Champions League. The Gunners suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Monaco in the first leg of their last 16 clash and will need to score three goals on 17 March to stand a chance of progressing to the next round.

While Wenger is aware of the significance of the Champions League tie, he is wary of making too many changes for the visit of Sam Allardyce's West Ham side.

He said: "I agree that the Monaco game is a very important game in the Champions League. Tomorrow is of the same importance. That's why I just have to focus on tomorrow. What can affect my team selection is the players who have played a number of game this season. I always rotate game by game but never more than two or three."