News that Arsenal have signed Finnish defender, Carl Jenkinson was finally confirmed by the club today. News that Jenkinson had been signed by Arsenal had been in the internet for close to two weeks now, but while it was initially reported that a deal had been done, it was confirmed by theCharlton Athletic manager that while a deal was on the verge of completion, it had not been actually completed.
In case of transfers made by Arsenal, the news is often reported only after all the formalities have been completed, with the club always remaining tight lipped about signings. We saw the same thing happen with Sebastian Squillaci last summer as several news networks had reported him being signed by Arsenal, but the Gunners only announced his signing towards the end of the transfer window.
Until the signing was actually announced on the Arsenal website, the club had not uttered a word on signing Jenkinson. While it once again shows the extreme professionalism of the club, which is always good to see, it can be frustrating for fans, especially since we are all eager about new transfers.
Arsenal fans will be hopeful that this marks the beginning of a busy summer transfer window in which the Gunners keep their top stars and at the same time, sign top quality players who can win them the league.
Jenkinson is the kind of transfer who will not play a huge role in the title challenge next year and will be limited to substitute appearances, cup appearances and when an injury strikes. But he will not be expected to make a huge impact, he is another solid young signing, with great talent and potential.
Three to four years down the line, when Bacary Sagna’s career at Arsenal will draw to a close, he will be expected to take up the right back role. Within Arsenal’s current youth and reserve team, the Gunners lacked a young and upcoming right back, who could be the heir to Sagna. While they had both Craig Eastmond and Francis Coquelin, both who could play at right back, their primary position were at defensive midfield. With the signing of Jenkinson, the Gunners have hopefully signed the future replacement to the brilliant Sagna.
For young Jenkinson, this is a great opportunity to work with Sagna, who is easily one of the top right backs in world football right now. His performances throughout the 2010-11 season endeared him to the Gunners as he was a beacon of consistency and heart throughout the season, proving to be a real force down the right flank.
Jenkinson will be lucky to learn from Sagna and this will only aid in his development. Jenkinson is reported to be a hugely talented youngster with a bright future ahead of him. He is also an extremely versatile player and can even fit into the heart of the defense, although he is primarily a right back.
While Wenger can look to send him on loan or keep him at the club, I would prefer that he stayed at the club, learning from Sagna and providing back up to the Frenchman. If this indeed turns out to be the case, it could spell the end of Emmanuel Eboue’s Arsenal career.
The Ivory Coast international has had a topsy-turvy career at the Emirates to say the least. After being booed by them in the 2008-09 season after a poor showing against Wigan, he won them back with some entertaining performances and with his personality that has seen him emerge as a crowd favorite as well as a favorite in the dressing room.
But his performances of late have been unconvincing with his defensive frailties there for all to see. His huge blunder against Liverpool that cost the Gunners three points would have done no help in increasing the confidence of Wenger and the fans in his defensive capabilities.
With the signing of Jenkinson, Arsene Wenger might be tempted to sell Eboue and use the youngster at backup. Sagna has hardly been injury prone as an Arsenal player and I see no need for the Gunners to have both Eboue and Jenkinson as backup.
While Eboue is versatile and can play in midfield also, with rumors of Oxlade-Chamberlain coming in coupled with youngsters like Henri Lansbury and Ryo Miyaichi pushing for a first-team spot, chances will come sporadically for Eboue. Eboue is not too bad a player and he will be a solid signing for some of the smaller teams in the league.
Eboue has not received much of playing time of late and the capture of Jenkinson along with interest from other teams could result in the two parties parting ways.
With his performances decreasing and with the Gunners looking to win titles next year, they may look to free up some cash for signings by selling Eboue.
While it would be sad to see the cheerful Ivorian leave, his time as an Arsenal player might be coming to a finale this summer.
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