Carl Jenkinson looks set for an extended run of first-team action for Arsenal, following the loss of Hector Bellerin.
The Spanish full-back was one of our stand-out performers of our last two seasons, even earning a place in the Premier League Team of the Year, but has just been ruled out for the next four weeks.
Bellerin was sent back from international duty with the Spain Under-21 squad with an ankle injury, while Santi Cazorla has also been confirmed as missing currently.
Wenger confirmed this in his pre-match press conference, saying: “Hector is out for four weeks. He was injured in the last ten seconds against Tottenham in a very strong tackle from Rose.
“Cazorla is still out too. I do not know when he will be back because he is not even training.”
The full-back’s absence will likely be filled by Carl Jenkinson, who has come in for praise by Arsene Wenger in recent months. The Frenchman praised his character and attitude whilst working hard in his bid to return to action following a long-term injury.
The right-back will now get his chance to try and shine in our first-team, having fallen down the pecking order previously. Carl joined West Ham on loan following the signing of Mathieu Debuchy and Calum Chambers in 2014, but he now finds himself ahead of the pair after an impressive 18 months with the Hammers.
Jenkinson was being tipped to bag himself a place in England’s Euro 2016 squad prior to picking up his injury back in February of this year. His only first-team appearance this term came against Reading in the League Cup, and he was more than competent in helping our side keep a clean sheet.
Man United are hardly the team to be feared and you can count on Jose Mourinho planning to play on the counter attack, so as long as Jenkinson doesn’t get caught too far up the field when we lose the ball, he should be fine in covering for the young Spaniard.
Is there any chance Jenkinson could put pressure on Bellerin’s first-team spot? Is there any worries about his inclusion this weekend?
Pat J