CARL JENKINSON is reportedly being eyed by West Ham again - but the Arsenal defender wants to fight for his place in north London.
The right-back has finally returned to Arsene Wenger’s side after a long absence through injury.
Jenkinson damaged his knee against Manchester City in January while halfway through his second season-long loan with the Hammers.
But Arsene Wenger reintroduced the boyhood Arsenal fan to the team in the EFL Cup last week.
And Jenkinson followed up his appearance at home to Reading with a Champions League start away at Ludogorets last night in Arsenal's 3-2 win.
Arsenal player ratings against Ludogorets
Tue, November 1, 2016Click through the gallery for the Arsenal player ratings against Ludogorets
Click through the gallery for the Arsenal player ratings against Ludogorets
First-choice full-back Hector Bellerin was rested for the trip, with Jenkinson still behind the young Spaniard in the Gunners’ pecking order.
According to the Daily Star, West Ham are keen to take him back to east London, as the 24-year-old may have to consider his future in January.
Slaven Bilic opted to re-sign Jenkinson in the summer of 2015 after a successful spell under Sam Allardyce at Upton Park.
But he did struggle to rediscover his top form last season before having his loan cut short.
Since returning to Arsenal’s first-team set-up though, the defender has looked sharp.
Sam Byram and Alvaro Arbeloa have both been exposed at right-back during West Ham’s slow start to the new season at the London Stadium.
And a Hammers source told the Daily Star: “Carl’s injury was a real shame. He was doing well at the club and we liked him. Would we have tried to sign him? Probably.”
However, despite Jenkinson’s affiliation with West Ham as the club helped him grow in the Premier League, it is claimed he is determined to force himself into Wenger’s plans.
Bilic will continue to monitor the defender, but Jenkinson has indicated his delight at being back available at Arsenal.
“I’m better at making decisions and that comes with experience,” Jenkinson told the club’s official website. “I’ve played a lot of football over the last couple of years for someone my age, probably about 50 odd times in the Premier League.
“That was fantastic for me and that experience is invaluable. I think I’ve matured as a player and a person, that’s probably the main thing I can take from the last few years.
“Having come back into the team, there’s generally a lot of optimism around the team and the squad at the moment.
“Every day you can sense there’s a real belief that we can achieve things now. That’s been evident since I’ve been back and it’s good to see and feel that as a player.”