Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has revealed what Carl Jenkinson said to him ahead of Arsenal’s EFL Cup clash with Nottingham Forest.

Apparently, before the game, which we won 4-0, Jenko requested that the team didn’t take it easy against our Championship opposition as he has his eye on a cup comeback in a later round.

“I’ll be delighted to see all his hard work pay off and for him to return,” the Ox said to Arsenal Player.

“He’s looking really good at the moment. He’s stayed around good people, that’s always important. He’s stayed close to his good friends and he’s kept his spirits up and I think it’s paid off. It’s been a long, tough struggle for him but luckily enough now, he’s looking like he’s in a place where he’s nearly at the end of the tunnel.

“He said to me before the game against Forest, ‘Look Chambo, I don’t want any of you lot taking it easy out there because I’ve got an eye on a little return soon in one of the later rounds’. So saying that reminded me how close he could be and that was nice, it gave me a little bit of motivation going into the game. So hopefully he can come back soon and maybe one of the cup rounds soon he can make his return.”

The Ox also hailed the defender’s strength after he picked up his knee crucial ligament injury while on loan at West Ham last season and it’s clear that the two are still firm friends.

It’s refreshing to see Jenko just happy to be back at the club he’s loved his whole life and playing football again, even if it’s not competitively yet. He realises that’s he’s been out for months and Rome wasn’t built in a day, therefore, he’s not going to walk into the first team squad. Not by a long shot.

Hopefully, he continues to progress well and we see him soon.