The new young Arsenal right back Carl Jenkinson was totally amazed that he got the chance to play for the club he and his family have supported all his life, especially as this time last year he was playing non-League football!
“It is crazy, sometimes I do have to pinch myself if I think where I was this time last year,” Jenkinson said.
“I was on loan at Eastbourne Borough in the Conference, playing on some horrible pitches and then here I am now playing for the club I love.
“A lot has gone on in the past year but I am thankful it has happened. At the start I had some tricky times, but I have settled in a bit now, found my feet, and am just trying to give my best in every game for the club.”
He was even more shocked when Bacary Sagna got injured and he was thrust into the limelight as a regular starter for the Arsenal first team, and he has now been part of a defence that has not conceded a goal for three games.
“It is very disappointing that Bac has got injured, he’s a world-class right-back but I suppose it does give me a chance and I’ve got try and take it,” he said.
“I am just trying to work hard and take my chance. It’s not going to be easy, I know that, there’s going to be some tough games and there will be ups and downs.
“But I am just working hard to do my best. Everyone knows I will always give 100 per cent for this club. It’s the club I love and the club I have supported all my life.”
“Some people don’t believe how much of an Arsenal fan my dad is, he’s been an Arsenal season-ticket holder for 40 years. If you walk in our living room at home we’ve got all these programmes in folders going back 40 years.
“Our family is a massive, massive Arsenal family. Everyone is a Gooner in my household. It’s a cliche but it is a dream come true for me to play for Arsenal and I will never take it for granted.
“I think every fan in the stadium would want to be on the pitch and I’m lucky enough to be doing that and representing those people, and trying to make them proud.”
I have a funny feeling that Jenkinson will be staying at the club as long as they want him, just As Jack Wilshere said this week. It may not actually be Arsenal DNA, but it must be as close as you can get!
