Carl Jenkinson has been included in Arsenal’s squad for Thursday’s Europa League clash with Sporting Lisbon.
It looked almost certain that the right-back would leave the Emirates this summer before a bad ankle sprain put off potential suitors and ruled him out of the first two months of the season.
Now that he’s fit again, he has an outside chance of seeing some first team action.
Following injuries to left-backs Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac, Dinos Mavropanos sidelined and Laurent Koscielny still feeling his way back to full fitness, we have something of an injury crisis at the back.
On Thursday, youngster Zech Medley was a late call-up to the bench, this time it appears that Jenks, has been given the nod.
Let’s go to Lisbon ✈️?? pic.twitter.com/wZda88cus8
— Aubameyang P-E (@Aubameyang7) October 24, 2018
It’s coming up to two years since Jenkinson – pictured on the right of Aubameyang’s tweeted image – played for the Gunners first team; a rare appearance made against Paris Saint Germain at a time when the squad was again depleted at the back.
Last season, the 26-year-old recruited on loan by Birmingham City but suffered a shoulder dislocation on his first appearance. He got back into the team after Christmas but eventually lost his place again to youngster Wes Harding.
Unai Emery utilised Stephan Lichtsteiner at right left-back in Monday’s win over Leicester and it seems most likely he’ll stick with that option. It’ll no doubt be a boost for Jenkinson to make the bench – his dad might say it’s something of a ‘turn around’ – and should play into his hands when he looks for a club in January.
All in all, it’s a strong squad travelling to Portugal with Monday’s matchwinners Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the plane, along with Lucas Torreira, Sokratis – back from injury – and Alex Lacazette. Emile Smith Rowe, who scored in against Qarabag, also travels.
YES Carl 😀
The definition of “nicking a living.” We’ve clearly tried to sell him for the last couple of years but wouldn’t accept to lower his wage demands. Fair enough tbh but it’s no surprise that he’s injured during every transfer window.
We gave him a contract and he’s honouring the contract – not sure that’s nicking a living. You also think he purposely dislocates and sprains things – I’m done.
Its very sad that you would think like that.
I agree completely. And he pretends to be a lifelong arsenal fan! For shame!
Boy, always the optimist arent we?
It’s not as if he couldn’t say no a transfer without being injured, right? So to think that he twisted his ankle on purpose or what, I mean, just wow.
Would you take a new job that offered less money / perks / generally less desirable surroundings and you really loved your current company?
Well, if the reputation is true – Emery is the perfect manager to re-ignite Jenks career. He should aim to become the backup for Bellerin since Lichsteiner won’t be around for long.
What career? He’s never been good enough for any of the lower league clubs he was loaned to, why would he be good enough for arsenal? Being a Gooner when he was young should have no baring on whether he deserves to play for us
He could be a coquelin for us
He just doesn’t have the technique or reading of the game for this level, no amount of coaching will make him any more than a battling clogger for some relegation candidates somewhere – and that’s if he can stay clear of injury.
It’s harsh but he got to play for his boyhood club and earn several millions in the process, so I don’t feel too bad for him
Regarding Jenks I have this happy image in my mind where I think of him as me just playing as a fan, where every day with the club is a blessing and I have nothing more to ask for in life! Of course, I’m sure Jenks has more ambitions than that, in terms of building some sort of a footballing career, and I’m sure he gives his best in training to try and improve every day, but that’s just real life.
I think it’s not only that he has more ambitions, but also it must be really hard to be around this club he loves but not at all a part of it. So though he might be there ‘as a fan’, but is being shown everyday what he could have but won’t. That’s got to be hard. Appreciate what you mean though.
‘Turn around*’ Carl’s footballing fortune.
*Per his dad’s vocals.
Bayern away masterclass incoming
To be honest, I’m not really happy about him still being in our squad. He had his chances under Wenger, but being a fan isn’t enough to be a backup right-back. We should look to sell him soon, because he’s simply not good enough for us.
he didn’t even make it at west ham
Not that I’m advocating keeping him but his first season at West ham he was actually bloody good. Was Creswell’s breakthrough year, maybe payet’s first season?
So why did they not keep him, if we didn’t want to? He has too many errors within his game.. his first ever action for us was an own goal in a friendly against cologne
As the comment below says, injury. Did his cruciate ligament I think?
I appreciate everyone likes the over simplistic view of ‘he’s earning a tonne of money so must be really happy’ view, but it must be tough mentally to watch the best years of your career drift by from a doctor’s table/ the reserves. Good luck to him.
He got injured…!
I remember his first West Ham year being rather good, whipping in crosses from the right, then getting injured in February…
Not sure if you’re aware but the window is currently not open. Also nobody came in for him last Windows as he was injured.
So it’s not like we intentionally kept him. But as he’s here and we may need cover, where the harm? What do you suggest? We play Bellerin every game?
I’d rather play any 18 year old talent than see him again… he has too many errors within his game!
So we couldn’t get rid of him because he was injured? Who gave him such a long contract then? .. I know that the window is not open (thx for the reminder) but with him as our backup for bellerin I would be more frightened as monday when we had xhaka on a yellow as left back..
Who exactly? And if CJ is better then the 18 y o talent, why should we play him instead of CJ?
Saying ‘he has too many errors in his game’ repeatedly is not gonna make you sound like an informed pundit. You could say, ‘he makes too many errors’, but instead you go for a phrase that tries to make you sound less like the stupid tit you are.
to be honest, give the lad a chance,
You sound fun.
Nketiah probably didn’t make the squad then, with Auba and Laca on board, eh? Curious if Emery doesn’t rate him or if he thinks he’s just too raw yet. Thought he was really good whenever given the chance and his numbers at youth level for club and country underline that, too. Would be nice to have an academy product coming through in the striker position. Regarding the Corporal, I’m happy for him as this suggests that he’s impressed in training to a certain degree and that can only be a good thing for his future, which lies surely somewhere else.… Read more »
In relation to Nketiah (if he isn’t in the squad) I reckon it’s more of the case we bring a strong team (in terms of strikers) for this game, which if win so we will have 9 points and are almost guaranteed to go through to the next round (and also win the group).
I think once we guaranteed to go through to the next round Eddie will start with Welbeck in the final Europa group games. Shows Emery is taking this cup seriously.
Anyway hopefully Eddie gets a start against Blackpool next week.
https://www.facebook.com/Arsenal/photos/a.10150246028422713/10156386111517713/?type=3&theater The squad suggests that you’re right. We play away at Vorskla 3 days prior to the home game against Sp*rs and 6 days prior to an away trip to Old Trafford. Would be a good thing to leave most of the squad in London for that game so let’s hope we can collect 6 points against Sporting and then give the youth a chance in the last 2 group games. Don’t think he will start Eddie against Blackpool as his squad for this Cup was quite strong for the first game, too. But if he could make the bench… Read more »
The corporal returning for duty
Into the breach, Corporal Jenkinson!
Would love him to get a game and play a fucking blinder, to be honest.
Would be great. Then we can say that Emery truly can change a player’s career!
Bladdy hell Jenko’s had a lot of injuries. We kind of overlook it.
Running through brick walls does take it’s toll.
Oh my god. He better play.
I always feel bad for this guy, he loves the club so much and all he wants is to try and improve and get some first team action. His chances are slim, definitely, but he’s been unlucky with injuries for a long time, even in Birmingham. I just hope he finds his mojo under Emery!
Welcome back, Jenks! We missed you.
I almost totally forgot that Jenks was still here with us! Still remember the day he was literally in tears after scoring his first goal for us. A true Gooner. Can’t wish him anything but good luck and fortune.
Welcome back my fellow Gooner.
why shouldn,t he, he is a good player. good luck to him
Lifelong Arsenal fan Carl Jenkinson continues to live the dream. Fair play to the boy. We’d all play the best hand we’ve got and he’s a name that we know more than some of those others that pop up claiming to have once played for Arsenal much to your bemusement.
i’m surprised that Laca and Aubameyang don’t sit together on the plane.
Why should they??
Doesn’t have the quality.
But we r lacking squad depth at present and he needs to be at least around the shop window.
More importantly hope Silo Kratos is available soon. CBACK looks precarious…next will be playing Granit there.
Who is Silo Kratos and shut up
Finland! ?
Does anyone else find it a bit odd that Jenks and Mustafi are the same age?
I saw a photo of him training on the arsenal site and thought, is it possible? YES IT IS!
Good luck Carl! Have fun! Play hard!
Because we need him now tonight, and we need him more than ever!
I thought he was gone.
Jenkoooo…..??????
He’s our Corporal Jenk!