LONDON -- Hector Bellerin has been offered a new contract by Arsenal, manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed.
Right-back Bellerin, 19, has enjoyed an unexpected run in the side this season, with Carl Jenkinson out on loan at West Ham and Mathieu Debuchy having suffered two long-term injuries.
The Spaniard has made 17 appearances in all competitions, scoring once, and Wenger has announced the club are looking to tie him down on a long-term deal.
When asked about a new contract for Bellerin and whether that could impact on Jenkinson's future, Wenger replied: "To the first part of the question I'll answer yes.
"And will it impact Carl Jenkinson? At the moment, in my head, no."
Wenger went on to confirm that he will make changes to his team in Saturday's Premier League game against West Ham at Emirates Stadium, but he has insisted he is not doing so with an eye on next week's Champions League clash against Monaco.
Even though the Gunners are heading into the game boosted by the confidence of their 2-1 FA Cup quarterfinal victory at Manchester United on Monday, Wenger has confirmed he will look to shake up his team as he aims to keep his players fresh for the final two months of the campaign.
Arsenal will travel to France looking to overturn a 3-1 first-leg deficit in their Champions League last-16 tie after a disappointing performance at Emirates Stadium, yet Wenger is keen to keep focus on his side's Premier League ambitions and their ongoing push for a top-four finish before turning his thoughts to a European revival.
"What affects my team selection is that some players have played a number of games recently and I always rotate game by game, but never more than two or three players," Wenger said. "I will rest one or two without interrupting the balance of the team.
"We have a very important game in the Champions League, but this game is of the same importance. All we can do is focus on West Ham first.
"We have six home games left in the Premier League and every game is vital now. West Ham are always tough opponents, but many times we have managed to win the game against them. We know that our home form will be decisive at the end.
"I like this time of the season because every game is important and you can feel that it is a period where you need composure focus and mental strength. It is always interesting to watch how your players respond to that.
"The mixture between focus and composure is not always easy to find. Every year it gets more difficult because you have more teams that can compete. Teams that hold their nerve will succeed. A mixture between focus and composure is not easy to find."
Wenger will face one of his former Arsenal players on Saturday as Alex Song returns to Emirates Stadium playing for West Ham, on loan from Barcelona, and the Gunners boss was eager to praise the Cameroon midfielder.
"West Ham had a very strong start to the season and he was one of the influential players in there," he added. "Song has given some technical quality to the West Ham side. He looks extremely focused and motivated. I brought him here when he was not 17-years-old, so I know how good he is."