The defender spent the last two years on loan from Arsenal.
Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson has told the club’s official website that his two-year loan spell with West Ham United has helped him to mature.
The full-back spent the last two seasons on loan at Upton Park where he became a regular for the Hammers.
He impressed under both Sam Allardyce and then Slaven Bilic last year until his loan spell was cut short in January by an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
It was a disappointing end to his time with Arsenal’s London rivals but he insists that it was not time that was wasted.
Instead, he says the biggest thing it helped him to do was mature, something that may not have happened at the Emirates Stadium.
“I’ve definitely grown up a lot in the last couple of years,” he told the club’s official website.
“I like to think I’ve always been quite a mature lad but just learning how to deal in everyday life with certain situations, I think I’ve matured a lot. I think on the pitch I’m better at making decisions and it comes with experience.”
It now remains to be seen whether Jenkinson can command a first-team place once he completes his rehabilitation.
It seems unlikely, with Hector Bellerin having developed into a top full-back over the last two years and the Gunners’ first choice by some distance.
Indeed perhaps another loan spell, or a permanent exit, would be for the best if he is to continue maturing as he has done over the last two years.
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