Jenkinson ‘ready’ to step up

Carl Jenkinson: Looking to nail down a regular role at Arsenal

Carl Jenkinson feels ‘ready’ to fill Bacary Sagna’s boots at Arsenal, with there no chance of him leaving this summer.

With Sagna set to depart Emirates Stadium as a free agent at the end of his contract, a defensive void will be created at right-back.

Jenkinson is the natural choice within those already on the books at Arsenal to step in.

The 22-year-old has been with the club since 2011 and believes he is now at a stage in his career where he should be looking to land a regular role at a top Premier League club.

“I feel I am ready for it,” Jenkinson said in the Evening Standard.

“It is never going to be easy to nail down that spot, but I believe in myself and I believe in my ability.

“I want that position to be mine for years to come. Of course I have got a long way to go, because this is a club who look for the best players in the world.

“If I am going to hold down the position for as long as I want to, I have got a lot of hard work on my hands. But I believe in myself.

“I am the sort of player who needs to play regularly to get the best out of me. My fitness and athleticism is a big part of my game, getting up and down the pitch.

“It is difficult to show what I can do when I am not playing regularly because it is hard to get into a rhythm.”

It has been suggested that Jenkinson could be sent out on loan if Arsene Wenger decides to look elsewhere for cover at full-back, but the former Charlton Athletic man is adamant that he will be staying put.

He added: “As far as I am concerned, you will have to drag me out of this club before I leave.

“I will work my socks off and hopefully next season can be a big one for me.

“If I have a good pre-season, work my way into the team and get a good run of games, there will be no holding me back.”