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Arsenal news: ‘It’s his last chance to save his future’ - Martin Keown on Gunners ace
ARSENAL’s Europa League clash against Qarabag on Thursday was Carl Jenkinson’s last chance to save his future at the club.
Arsenal: Carl Jenkinson trains with team before Qarabag clash
That is the opinion of former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown.
Jenkinson’s contract at the Emirates does not expire until the end of next season.
However, the right-back has struggled to break into the Gunners team under Unai Emery.
Hector Bellerin is the first choice on the right side of defence for Emery, with the experienced Stephan Lichtsteiner providing capable backup.
Good to see Carl Jenkinson given perhaps his last chance to prove he still has a future
Jenkinson started the match against Qarabag, which was just his fourth appearance of the campaign.
He spent last term on loan at Birmingham but missed a large chunk of the season after dislocating his shoulder on his debut.
Keown was happy to see Jenkinson given a chance in his natural position on Thursday.
But, with the transfer window opening in less than three weeks, he admitted it was almost the 26-year-old's last chance to prove himself.
“Good to see Carl Jenkinson given perhaps his last chance to prove he still has a future,” Keown said on BT Sport.
“He has to play with confidence. He looks to me to almost frightened of his own shadow at times.
“I think if he goes out and plays with confidence, gets down that wing…
“Finally he’s playing in his right position, he’s played at left-back a lot.”
Jenkinson first joined Arsenal from Charlton in 2011 and made 57 appearances in his first three seasons at the club.
But he has played just nine times for the Gunners in the last four years.
He had two successive seasons on loan at West Ham but was hampered with injury during his time at Upton Park.
Jenkinson's only England cap came in the 4-2 friendly defeat to Sweden in 2012.