Arsenal boss impressed with Jenkinson, can he challenge Bellerin?

Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger has hailed the mentality of Carl Jenkinson as he nears his return from injury, but could he challenge for a first-team role?

The defender has been out of action since January, falling foul of injury whilst conceding a penalty for loan-club West Ham, and was sent back to North-London to have his recovery overlooked.

Jenkinson is now set to make a return to playing, but after a prolonged absence, Wenger has now confirmed that he will make his mark in the Under-23 side as he aims to bring his match-fitness up.

The defender has not featured for the Gunners since May 2014, with Calum Chambers and Mathieu Debuchy being signed in the summer, which forced the former Charlton youth product to consider his first-team place.

Jenkinson then opted to join the Hammers on a temporary basis, and after impressing in his 36 outings that term, agreed to extend his stay in East London for a further year, albeit signed a new five-year Arsenal contract between loan spells.

Just as he was being touted as a potential England prospect for Euro 2016, he succumbed to injury in January, and was sent back to Arsenal, and he will be keen to get back to fitness in the near future.

Arsene Wenger will have given the 24 year-old hope of breaking into his first-team squad in the near future by praising his attitude, but can he challenge Bellerin for a first-team role?

The Spaniard himself has been impressing since being promoted in the place of Mathieu Debuchy in September 2014, and is set to earn a new extended contract as confirmed in today’s press conference.

Can Jenkinson offer an alternative type of full-back to the Arsenal first XI? Or is he destined to be Bellerin’s back-up?

Pat J

 

Tags Arsenal Bellerin Jenkinson

10 Comments

  1. There are very very few right backs in the world who can dislodge Bellerin from the starting XI. Probably only Lahm and Alves (from 5 years ago).

  2. I think that Jenkinson is set for a Gibbs type-role as an adequate backup for Bellerin with the Cup games in his favour. As he i sa through and through Gooner that doesnt want to play for anyone else i think he will be more than happy with that.

  3. For me Jenkinson is a decent premier league back, but he is not in the same “league” as Bellerin.

    1. But that doesn’t mean he wont be in the future.
      Who thought Bellerin could replace Debuchy?

    1. 2 years ago you would say the same but the other way around. All things changes. Except taxes and death, that is.

  4. has he been given the chances? You wait when Belerin gets injured, then we´ll find out for sure,

  5. the only think Jenks has over Bellerin is his height, ll need a massive boom to challenge Bellerin… Gibbs challenging Monreal still sounds more likely at this point cos of his offensive contribution.

  6. Jerkinson with a little bit of experience would make our back four solid don’t forget he was very good at Westham. Challenging Bellerin is another thing as he needs to be top of his game.

Comments are closed

Top Blog Sponsors