Being an Arsenal fan hasn’t always been easy this past half-decade. Yet even during our glummest, most dour hours, we’ve always held fast to this reassuring sentiment: Arsenal football club play host to one of the best youth systems in the world and at any one time have an incredible number of talented young players on their books, all with genuine chances of breaking into the first team in the future.
This season has been no different. Despite a stuttering start, it’s been clear at all times that the Gunners have some real young talent on their hands. The likes of Benik Afobe, Emmanuel Frimpong and Francis Coquelin spring to mind. But it’s Carl Jenkinson that I’d like to single out for praise.
He didn’t have the easiest of starts, but has slowly grown into himself and improved on a game-by-game basis. Perhaps its taken a while to adjust to Arsenal’s vigorous training regime, but these past weeks he’s looked fitter, moved up and down the flank faster and provided real threat.
Then there’s his crossing: is there any other young player in the Premier League with his ability to whip in dangerous balls? He’s even better than Bacary Sagna in this regard who showcased a decent crossing ability on numerous occasions last season.
It’s a far cry from the days of Clichy and Eboue storming down the flank only to send a cross sailing into the stands behind the goal. In Andre Santos and Carl Jenkinson could the Gunners have found full-backs who possess genuine threat?
Whilst Jenkinson looks good going forward, he’s also shown himself to be a good defender. Whilst Eboue’s pace was an asset going forward, he was often found wanting defensively. Jenkinson is calm and controlled and can put in a decent tackle. Whilst it’s fair to say that he doesn’t have Sagna’s consistency (and who would expect him to do so at this young age?) he’s done extremely well so far.
At the moment he’s very much Arsenal’s number two right-back and will be expected to warm the bench when Sagna returns from injury. But as fill-in full-backs go, Arsenal appear to have one of the best.
Follow @ThePerfectPass on Twitter for details on all the latest updates and various football-related musings.
Introducing the neat little app that’ll pay you to view content tailored to your interests:
ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.
Top banana Jenkinson! A million times better than Djourou there and much better than Eboue. I can even see him filling in at Centre-back. The kid has real heart and his overlapping is the best we’ve ever had at the club since Kenny Sansom.
Is this the same Carl Jenkinson that Wenger bought in the summer?
The same guy who Wenger was laughed at for buying?
Surely not the guy who was playing two leagues down,not a regular starter but simply CHEAP……just how everyone said Wenger likes them…
One day,all those who bagged the crap out of Wenger and Jenkinson will publicly admit how wrong they were……yeah right.
Arteta,Mertesacker,Santos……….he is.being proven right on a weekly basis,but you won’t hear anything from the “experts”.
I have never been in doubt about most of Wengar’s buys; though he gets it wrong on some occassions- Djourou being a typical example. Carl has shown that he has what it takes to spot the White-and-Red jersey of Arsenal. The pull-outs hold the most appeal for me; they are somewhat clinical and are sure to improve with time. Just wish som1 always got on the end of those nice crosses from the lad. we could could do with those connecting headers or volleys.
Good bargain, Le’Proffesour