Arsenal Must Hit Reset With Carl Jenkinson

Arsenal loanee Carl Jenkinson has suffered a severe knee injury and figures to be out into next season. Time for the Arsenal man to hit reset on his career.

Carl Jenkinson was once the incumbent to Bacary Sagna’s throne. It was a big responsibility, but one that the young English, turned-Finish, turned-back-English right back looked ready and willing to tackle.

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However, he was never given the chance. When Sagna left in 2014, Mathieu Debuchy was called upon to fill the role as young Jenkinson was sent out on loan to West Ham. At the time it was highly debatable because all Arsenal had at right back was the untested Calum Chambers and the far-off prospect of Hector Bellerin.

But the move was made and after recurring injuries to Debuchy, Arsenal’s youthful right backs were tested, a spot that Jenkinson could have had. Through it all, Bellerin emerged the victor and there is no one on the face of this planet that could compete with Bellerin’s spot right now (fact).

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As such, Jenkinson, having impressed the West Ham brain trust, was brought back the following year for another year long loan, as he had become their go-to right back.

This season has not gone as swimmingly. The 23 year old has had some consistent stretches as well as some rather sub-par stretches, which would probably indicate that he is indeed inconsistent.

Whatver the case, the loan at West Ham came to screeching halt when he suffered a “significant” knee injury that many have indicated as a cruciate ligament injury. BBC Sport reports that there is no timetable for his return but rough speculation has him out until October.

That puts his speculative recovery time when he is back with Arsenal.

Arsenal and Carl Jenkinson have to hit the reset button. Jenko was never given much of a prolonged stint with the Gunners, yet when he did he impressed. In one instance, he stepped in at right back when Sagna had to cover for Koscielny and Vermaelen in 2013. He retained his spot when Koscielny returned because of his performances in that short span of games.

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Yet he was still loaned out, where he also impressed.

So we know the talent is there. Let’s consider this knee injury as the intermission in Jenkinson’s career. The first act had some positive developments and a pretty nice plot line but it is going to be up to the second act to tie it all together.

Hector Bellerin may have a monopoly on the right back spot, but with Debuchy set to leave and Arsenal’s centerback stock aging and dwindling, Jenkinson can still find time at both right back and center back. Bellerin is always going to need back up and given that he has a tendency to impress when given the chance, Wenger may feel more inclined to start the still-young Jenkinson when he was not  so inclined to start Debuchy.

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Whatever the case, we know that Jenko’s heart is still with Arsenal. That means that he will be double-time dedicated to make an impact at the Emirates.