Carl Jenkinson has a huge opportunity to prove his worth at Arsenal after learning Hector Bellerin will be unavailable for a month.
The Spanish right-back picked up an ankle injury during the international break and is believed to be facing up to a month out on the side-lines.
Undoubtedly, this will be a huge blow to Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal faithful, with Bellerin viewed as an important part of the Gunners’ back-line.
But with the Spain international out of action, it gives Jenkinson several chances to prove if he can truly cut it at Arsenal, having been at the club since 2011.
Due to limited action at Arsenal, the England international spent the past two seasons on loan at West Ham, where he made a total of 57 appearances in all competitions.
He impressed at then Upton Park and received the much-needed game time to come back to Arsenal and seriously challenge Bellerin for the full-back role this season.
The 24-year-old has started just two games for the Gunners this season, but he looks set to start in the following fixtures:
Manchester United (a) – 19th November
Paris-Saint Germain (h) – 23rd November
Bournemouth (h) – 27th November
Southampton (h) – 30th November
West Ham (a) – 3rd December
Basel (h) – 6th December
Jenkinson may also start against Stoke City at the Emirates on December 10th.
Many of the Emirates faithful view Jenkinson as a capable squad member at best, but he now has seven games to demonstrate to Wenger and the doubters that he does have a long-term future at Arsenal.
Let’s hope he passes the test ahead with flying colours.
