The Surprise Package - Carl Jenkinson

SO KON PO, HONG KONG – JULY 29: Carl Jenkinson of Arsenal FC in action during the pre-season Asian Tour friendly match between Kitchee FC and Arsenal at Hong Kong Stadium on July 29, 2012 in Hong Kong.

Many know this young, barely 20, half-English half-Finnish defender. That is not to say he is famous. In fact, he’s known mainly (probably only) for his spectacular own goal against FC Cologne for Arsenal. This youngster though has come a long way and has completely changed the opinion I had on him.

Little was known about Jenkinson when Arsene Wenger signed him from Charlton Athletic for a fee of about £1 million. What started as a promising career soon turned out to be a nightmare. A howler of an own goal made him a laughing stock, a scape goat. A troll artist’s muse. His mistake was out for the world to see. Soon the world knew Jenkinson as the failure, and he was barely 18.

The right back spot at Arsenal has been held by Bacary Sagna, a French National team regular, one of the best in his position in the BPL. Filling in those big shoes should have been hard enough without all the haunting memories. Jenkinson’s next chance unfortunately came at a point in time when Arsenal were possibly at their lowest – the disastrous 8-2 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford. He started in place of Sagna, who missed the match due to suspension. What followed was a carnage which scarred not only Jenkinson but Arsenal as a whole. Jenkinson was once again slaughtered for his terrible defending and the red card that followed. Not one single person would remember that Jenkinson assisted Van Persie to the second goal, though it was by all means only a consolation.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 02: Raheem Sterling of Liverpool is challenged by Mikel Arteta and Carl Jenkinson of Arsenal during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on September 2, 2012 in Liverpool, England.

My point here is that people tend to forget the good and focus on the bad at every chance they get, though in this case, it would be the absolute worse. Jenkinson still has a long way to go in his career. Defenders generally mature at around 27-28 years old, in that sense he has about seven long years to go!

But then, if his current form is proof of anything, it is how much this kid has improved in defense. During their first three games, Arsenal have not conceded a single goal. Though many may claim that he hasn’t come up against quality wingers yet, I saw an improved Jenkinson against Liverpool. Kop youngster Raheem Sterling was on a roll and really difficult to handle. Jenkinson did a fine job and came up with at least two brilliant tackles to stop a Liverpool side on the attack. The clash of the freshmen was exciting to watch, and the fact that our little Gooner came out on top more often than not was very pleasing.

Steve Bould has definitely got through to this fellow.

I was also like you. I too believed that the few blunders Jenkinson made was proof that he wasn’t BPL standards. But then, give him time. He’s supposed to grow and develop at Arsenal. He’s bound to surprise a few. He’s yet to make a senior International appearance, eligible to play for both Finland and England.

I just think Carl Jenkinson deserves a second chance.