Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Carl Jenkinson is competing for a first-team Arsenal role.
The right-back has been out of action since picking up an injury on loan with West Ham in January, but returned last week in our Under-23’s match against Southampton on Friday.
Arsene Wenger has now insisted that Jenkinson is ready to stake his claim for a role in the first-team squad, which will come as a blow to Mathieu Debuchy, who has already been excluded from the match-day squad for each match this term.
Wenger said: “Now it is down to getting a little bit more competition. He has been out for a very long time, but he’s available to compete again now.
“Carl has been patient and resilient. He has a fantastic mentality and he has worked very hard to come back. He had the support of everybody here at the club and I think he has done extremely well.”
Jenkinson looks set to play as back-up to Hector Bellerin, who still remains as one of the most consistent full-backs in the Premier League following on from his PFA Premier League Team of the Year inclusion last season.
Wenger’s recent claims appear to claim that the England international has a chance of challenging him for his first-team role however, although I find it hard to believe that the Spaniard would come out of the starting line-up unless injured or in need of a rest.
Jenkinson signed a new five-year contract in the summer of 2015, before re-joining West Ham on loan, and clearly is in the long-term plans of the club.
Could Carl challenge Hector this term? Or will he have to settle for a run in the cups?
Pat J
Of course, he will have to settle for a run in the cup games and few EPL games where we can afford to rotate reasonably or when Hector is injured.
I feel Jenkinson will be used in U23 a fair bit to gain match fitness. We might see him at EFL game against Reading or another game for Maitland Niles. I feel Debuchy will be sold or loaned this Winter Transfer period. He had a big mouth against Wenger when he left on loan to Bordeaux. Never burn your bridges, always stay positive.
Bellerin is just world class, and there is no way Jenkinson can compete with him. I hope we can hold on to Bellerin, because it will be a major weakening of the team to have Jenkinson playing in stead. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think he is useless, he is just not a real top right back.
the term Chalk & cheese springs to mind, if he stays quite goes about his business unlike debuchy etc then yes he has a chance to just get games for arsenal never mind first team action. carling cup and possibly efl for now and if he proves himself then he might be considered because to be honest he didn’t really light the world on fire at west ham did he.
wenger needs to be ruthless these twats especially the british core have no loyalty the ox has proved that after talking nonsense on sky, they are lucky mourinho or Pep are not the managers had they been, ox,wilshire, theo, ramsey, jenko without doubt would have been shipped out long ago alongside the sanogos, szcensy etc
these ungrateful sods dont appreciate how lucky they actually have it.
Jerkinson works hard and I actually believe in him. I see him making a big impact at Arsenal in the nearest future but for now he has to settle for back up and accept the fact that Bellerin is on top of his game.
I think he will just be happy he is back at Arsenal, whether playing or on the bench. He’s a Gooner!
bellerin is without doubt on his way to barcelona . how unfortunate that our very best player by a mile will be leaving in the january window , despite what mr.admin said on here preseason that hector would not leave us this season . wishful thinking indeed , it will be a very sorry day when he does decide to go back to spain .wenger is not praising jenkinson for nothing , he is getting us ready for bellerins departure, and pretending that jenkinson is suitable cover .its all about money , and we all know , even those who are fans of wenger, that he loves money , and the saving of same .
LOL Ger give it up. Bellerin is NOT going anywhere as i said and will continue to say. Jenkinson is simply going to replace the moany French git Debuchy.
I’m with Admin.Wenger just said that Bellerin has 3 years left on his contract. Double his wages to 100k a week and he aint going nowhere!
Jenks will play. Bellerin is just as susceptible to injuries as the rest of the team.
Debuchy has no chance!
Sell Debuchy and Giroud;
Sell Debuchy and Sanogo!