Carl Jenkinson is anxious, according to Arsene Wenger

Jenkinson spent eight months on the sidelines with a serious knee injury, which saw his loan spell at West Ham cut short last season.

He is back in action and started the recent back-to-back games against Manchester United and Paris St-Germain in Hector Bellerin's absence but was rested for the win over Bournemouth last weekend.

Wenger believes Jenkinson, who will start against Southampton in the EFL Cup tonight, is still not playing with freedom.

But the Arsenal boss is backing him to be a 'different player' when he gets his confidence back.

Arsene Wenger wants Carl Jenkinson to get a run of games

"You forget that it’s a big ask [to come back from a big injury]," Wenger told Arsenal.com.

"Carl is very conscientious and sometimes a bit anxious. It takes him time to play completely with freedom. He needs a run of games to play with freedom, so the fact that he can get another game… I think we’ll already see a different Carl.

Carl Jenkinson has started three games since returning from injury

"I rested him completely against Bournemouth because he played two big games and I felt he needed a breather. Sometimes, mentally three games in a week demands a lot.

"We’ll get him back tomorrow, put Gabriel in the centre and I will see for Saturday."