Carl Jenkinson has explained the thought process behind his loan move to Birmingham City.

Jenks has signed for Birmingham City on loan this season despite being heavily linked with a permanent move away from Arsenal.

Speaking after the switch was completed, the 25-year-old admitted that last season it was tough not playing, especially considering he was fit.

“It was frustrating come the end of the window that things didn’t work out how I’d wanted them to and then obviously I spent the back end of last season where I didn’t play,” he said, reports the Birmingham Mail.

“That was my first experience when I’ve been fit for a very long time where I’ve not played. But that’s what it is and it’s a part of my career, as frustrating as it was.

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“Everyone just agreed that I needed to play this year. I was told that I’d be able to go out on loan or whatever and I pushed for that as well because you don’t want to be somewhere where you’re not going to be playing.”

Jenks made just five appearances for Arsenal’s first team last season after returning from a long-term knee injury he suffered with on loan at West Ham.

The right-back made a return but didn’t appear comfortable, which Arsene Wenger later revealed was apparently down to a lack of confidence.

Jenks never fully returned and instead went on to feature seven times for the Gunners’ youth side in Premier League 2. He even scored once and assisted twice.

The English defender did only have a year left on his current deal with Arsenal, which is why it was reported that he was leaving. However, this now appears to have been extended to 2020 as the club found it hard to negotiate a permanent move away.

This was allegedly down to the 25-year-old’s wage demands, which are said to be around £45k-per-week. However, we don’t know that this genuinely was the case.

21-year-old full-back Cohen Bramall has also joined Birmingham City on a season-long loan.

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