Guest post by Jeff (@jeff_ozule)
Wenger was once advised to go and watch an impressive young Right back who had played a handful of games for Charlton. He was said to have pace and the heart of a warrior,a tall lad who never stops trying.
Best of all, he was a life time Gooner. Not just any gooner. Take a look at his room. He was Arsenal through and through.
Ladies and Gentlemen, that player scouted then was our very own Corporal Jenkinson.
Born in 1992, Jenkinson has earned a meteoric rise to prominence in just 2 years. Of course Arsene was immediately impressed in this young half finished English lad. For a fee of just £1m, Wenger ,with his eye for a bargain, must have rubbed his hands together, delighted in knowing he has just found another gem, one who in the long run would prove him right in thinking so as he grew to be the Sagna successor that he was envisioned to be.
Immediately thrown into the deep for his league debut against Liverpool at Anfield in Sagna’s absence, that was followed with a key performance against Udinese where you saw glimpses of what he could be capable of. This was followed by that infamous game against Man Utd in our 3rd league game of the season with only one point from the previous 2 games. Its safe to say Jenkinson had a torrid time when starting off his Arsenal career. Despite providing an assist for Van Persie, he didn’t finish the match at Old Trafford as he was later sent off. One of the lasting images for many from that game was one of him arguing with Walcott and I think that moment and the performance in that game did establish an initial mental block in many fans that was held against any evidence of his ability. Let’s not forget though that the whole team played badly as we lost that day (I could go on and defend why we lost by so much or even lost at all but I probably shouldn’t dig up too many memories of that day)
However, there was something I noticed about Jenkinson that day: he always tried. He never gave up, always tried and tried even if it came to an unsuccessful end. This is the stand out ability of many that Jenkinson possesses, you are always sure he will try and never give up, When a player works so hard for the team, even when mistakes are made, such a player is always appreciated (however not always in the case of Ramsey, I have no idea why fans don’t appreciate him). If only this attitude was always shown by more players , we could have had a different animal of a team.
I have always maintained that player by player our team is almost as good as city or Chelsea and better that Manchester United,bar their striking department. We need more players to play with the determination and heart that young Jenkinson displays, with the same attitude of never giving up, never stopping to try and never shying away from a difficult moment and grabbing it by the scruff of the neck.
Since that day however, Jenkinson,with Arsene’s guidance, has traveled from conference footballer to capped England international in just 2 years. He’s gotten to the point where many legitimately consider it an even fight between him and Sagna for playing as starting right back for us. His tireless, lung busting performances have left many positive lasting memories this season, whether it is chasing down Agbonlahor, tackling the ball and running back just as fast on offense or it is speeding in from nowhere trying to block an effort against Bayern Munich or that look on his face as he scored the equalizer in the last minute of stoppage time to force extra time in that crazy 7-5 against Reading.
And he isn’t done yet. As part of the club’s English core, he has pledged his future to us and is improving at a rate that will soon put him among the best at his role for many years to come.
All hail Corporal Jenkinson, I have no doubt that he is going to be an Arsenal Legend one day.
We bet he really is
Positively Arsenal 
First ever for me?
LikeLike
Great stuff Geoff, thanks. I really believe in this lad. I do believe he is challenging Bacary now. And what’s more Hector Bellerin is hot on Jenk’s tail. The right back slot is looking good.
LikeLike
Wow, looks like the positivistas are all at church on this Good Friday!
LikeLike
Nice job Geoff – good to see a positive profile of one of our players. I hope this is the start of a series?
LikeLike
Full time for a promotion from corporal in my opinion. One more stripe to Sargeant.
GP – I think the positivistas already share Geoff’s sentiments.
LikeLike
Nice one, Geoff. “Per ardua ad astra” was the phrase that came to mind when I first saw Jenkinson. Our most most improved player over the last 18 months.
LikeLike
Another reason to love Adrian Clarke.
http://www.lifesapitch.co.uk/opinions/five-common-arsenal-myths-shot-down/
I think he’s been reading Positively Arsenal…
LikeLike
FG – Adrian is one of George’s pals on Twitter. Always campaigning for him to get a permanent role at Arsenal Player. Our PG is a relentless sort if you didn’t figure that one out. Smileys included.
LikeLike
Jeff,great stuff, thanks for that, Carl is my favourite current player,I think he still could be in 10 years time when we all rock up at his testimonial,he’s truly one of us and I bloody love him.
LikeLike
Adrian used to do the “red white & blue” podcast with a couple of his journo mates,well worth a listen (it’s still on iTunes), and he gave this blog a big push when it was started,he’s a top man although it was revealed on that podcast that he shaves his balls,I’ve forgiven him for that,hell! He’s even inspired me to start doing it myself,although a cautionary tip for you lot-dont splash aftershave on after-I woke the neighbours up.
LikeLike
That was a good find Fungunner
LikeLike
Nice one Jeff!
There’s such a thing as “too much information” Mel.
LikeLike
Great stuff, Jeff. You won’t find any opposition from me. I think Jenks is well on his way to becoming a top player. He’s already proven how vital he can be for us and more games will just improve him.
Top write up, top player. Lovely.
LikeLike
Just came on to say everybody send out the love for the yutes out at Lake Como, up against the baby orcs of Chelski.
@ Passenal
He’s a good egg
@ Mel
“although it was revealed on that podcast that he shaves his balls,I’ve forgiven him for that,hell! He’s even inspired me to start doing it myself,although a cautionary tip for you lot-dont splash aftershave on after-I woke the neighbours up.”
ha ha – thanks, I’ll remember that tip!
LikeLike
I thought I might watch it FG, but hearing Robson’s voice on the commentary has put me right off!
LikeLike
And we score. Bellerin, of course, with another key play. Fantastic assist. Can’t wait to see him play for the first team!
LikeLike
And Akpom the scorer, of course.
LikeLike
1-0 up!
LikeLike
Players getting injured left and right. Not through malicious fouls, but through a really atrocious pitch. And the final is supposed to be played at the same venue! (And the commentator just mentioned that rain has been forecast…)
LikeLike
Evil, that pitch is atrocious. Sounds like we need another goal as chelski have had a few chances to get back in.
LikeLike
The pitch is a disgrace
LikeLike
1-1. Iliev with a great safe from the penalty spot, but the rebound goes in.
LikeLike
Great penalty save. Very unlucky keeper
LikeLike
Come on you young gunners!
LikeLike
Illiev judged the bounce wrongly and we are one goal down. Very unlucky, because so far, he had a perfect game.
LikeLike
Especially gutting because a minute before we had a fantastic chance to retake the lead but Olsson leant too far back and guided his shot from 10 yards out over the bar. Anyway, we can win this, we are the better side, just need to turn it up a bit.
LikeLike
Oh no. 3-1…
LikeLike
Oh no, what’s gone wrong? We should have taken our chances when we had them!
LikeLike
And 3-2. 5 minutes left. COYYG!
LikeLike
And 3-3. Looks like this will go to extra time!
LikeLike
Gnabry with the equaliser. Fantastic goal.
LikeLike
And almost 4-3. Gnabry fouled, I think it should’ve been a penalty (about as soft as the penalty Chelsea got).
LikeLike
Well done to force extra time boys. Now just keep the momentum going!
LikeLike
First 15 minutes of extra time are done. Not much happening, Chelsea started a bit brighter but it has petered out after that. Some of our boys look like they are running on fumes.
LikeLike
They had a tough game only a couple of days ago Evil – I think chelski have had a longer rest.
LikeLike
4-3 Chelsea. Unlucky, 5 minutes left to get the equaliser.
LikeLike
Damn!
LikeLike
And it’s all over. Too bad we couldn’t come back again. I feel we lost the game in the first half when we took the lead but then seemed to play with the handbrake on for the rest of the half. If we had pushed them during those first 45 minutes and gotten another goal, I don’t think Chelsea would have had it in them to come back. Anyway, good effort and going out in the semis is no shame. A lot of players could show their potential and from what I’ve seen during the NG Series, some of those players out there will have a bright future with the first team. This is a good vintage with loads of talent.
LikeLike
Not a Good Friday
LikeLike
Good effort from the boys, shame they couldn’t go all the way to the final, but this will be good experience for them.
LikeLike
They might have done better on a better surface as it’s difficult to keep the ball and pass it around on a potato patch. They will be disappointed, but they don’t have to be ashamed of their performance.
LikeLike
I think Jenks is ready to step up to the first team. My only worry is who is going to back him up if he’s injured. Bellerin is awesome, but I don’t know if he’s ready for the rough and tumble of the prem.
I’m absolutely gutted by the news of Abou Diaby. I think he should go to his ancestors’ village in the Ivory Coast and see what he can do to take that damn curse off himself.
LikeLike
Thanks Jeff – good read and Jenks to join the line of Arsenal full backs who have been a core of the club
LikeLike
Nice article, for all the glamour that international players bring, it’s great to have a true Gooner in the team. Can’t quite believe Stuart Taylor will be in goal for Reading tomorrow and he’s only 32. Seems an awful long time ago he was at Highbury.
LikeLike
bac, jenks, hector, + le coq and nico we have right backs in abundance.
gutted for the next gen lads they deserved better but hopefully they can all achieve success in the future.
can the match preview tomorrow include our three most important players at the moment fab, Aaron ,and gerv
Rocky weekend so im going to watch my old Rocky video and ball my eyes out!
LikeLike