“Leaving Arsenal was the greatest mistake of my life because I cried everyday” – Former Arsenal star admits he ‘never really wanted’ to leave, begs Arteta for opportunity to comeback this summer
“Leaving Arsenal was the greatest mistake of my life because I cried everyday” – Former Arsenal star admits he ‘never really wanted’ to leave, begs Arteta for opportunity to comeback this summer
Former Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson reflects on his time at the club.
Carl Jenkinson joined Arsenal in the summer of 2011 from Charlton Athletic.
The right-back made his debut for the Gunners in a Champions League qualifier shortly after his arrival. Soon after, he also started in the infamous 8-2 loss to Manchester United.
After the heavy defeat against the Red Devils, Arsene Wenger quickly made several transfers in the transfer window and brought a number of new players to the Emirates Stadium, including Mikel Arteta.
In his first season at Arsenal, Jenkinson made 14 appearances in all competitions. He stayed at Arsenal until 2019, but his playing career was interrupted by injuries and loan spells at West Ham United and Birmingham City.
His most successful period with the Gunners was between 2012 and 2014. In the two campaigns during that period, the full-back made 43 appearances and scored the only goal of his Arsenal career. In 2014, he was instrumental in the Gunners’ FA Cup victory. He also received international honors. Jenkinson won his only England captaincy in 2012 in a friendly against Sweden.
Despite his playing limitations, Jenkinson’s obvious love for the club made him a favorite among Arsenal fans. The thirty-one-year-old grew up as a supporter of the Gunners.
Carl Jenkinson remembers when he left Arsenal:
Jenkinson spoke about what it meant to him to represent Arsenal and how painful it was for him to leave the club.
In a recent interview with The Athletic, Jenkinson revealed. I was very sad that it was over. It took me a while to come to terms with the fact that I was no longer a player.”
“I think it took me a while to become a fan again. It took a while, but now I’m safely back in the fold. And I like it: I watch the games like I always have, and my dad and I have season tickets again. That means when I go back to England I can go with my dad again. It’s nice. I am now at the point where I am enjoying being a fan again. It’s what I’ve always been before. And it’s what I will always be from now on.”
“In the end, it was hard for me to leave Arsenal and I never really wanted to.”
Jenkinson’s career reflects a difficult period in the club’s recent history, when the cost of moving from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium severely limited Arsenal’s buying power in the transfer market.
But his story is also one that cannot fail to excite fans. Jenkinson was a long-time Arsenal fan who could play for the club and who played for it as a supporter, with his heart in the right place. Jenkinson was living the dream of everyone who has ever stood in the stands.
Arsenal fans will be delighted to know that Jenkinson now proudly remembers playing for the club and that he now fully supports Arteta’s team.
