Crystal Palace boss Sam Allardyce has confirmed that a deal is in place for Carl Jenkinson to join him from Arsenal.
The Gunners defender has fallen down the pecking order in recent seasons, and his future in North-London looked over when coming under severe scrutiny from fans after a bad display, and he has failed to feature since.
Jenkinson is now set to move across London to join Palace, although it is yet to be confirmed whether this will be a permanent or temporary switch.
SA: I think that's negotiation between the chairman and the agent, but we appear to have an agreement with Arsenal [for Jenkinson].
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) January 16, 2017
Reports recently claimed that the Eagles had come in with a transfer offer amidst a number of loan offers from elsewhere, and should that be true, it would seem as if Carl’s Arsenal days were up.
That will leave us with Mathieu Debuchy as back-up to Hector Bellerin, but there is also speculation that he is keen to leave the club, and may well be allowed to leave also.
Arsene Wenger would then have to decide on whether to look at bringing in a replacement to play as back-up to the Spaniard, or if he is more than happy with keeping Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Gabriel Paulista or even Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to fill in the role.
The Ox has been fielded at right-back on two substitute appearances this term, and it has worked out positively, but that option is only likely to be used if we are chasing a goal late into a game.
Gabriel will likely remain our back-up having done well in the role this term, and with Per Mertesacker and Rob Holding also able to fill in at centre-back, we would still have plenty of cover without both Jenko and Mathieu.
Do you agree that both can leave without having an effect on our squad? Or do we need another RB to replace them as Hector’s understudy?
Pat J
it’s a good move for him n most importantly for the progress of the Club…
Absolutely nothing.. We had far too many options at RB.
Jenko’s not a player at our level. The unfortunate thing is that we have the best young attacking fullback in the world, just locked down to a lengthy contract… It’s going to be hard to bring anyone in who wants to compete with him. Debuchy’s gone as well IMO.
Question: What does Jenkinson’s Palace move mean for Arsenal?
Answer: It’s means we are becoming ruthless with FRINGE players.. I know Jenks is an arsenal fan and he loves the club very much but given his previous performances for the club, he has no quality to play for Arsenal at top level and it’s very wise for the club to path ways with him and i believe Maitland Niles has the quality to develop as one of the best right backs in the country if given the chance and he should be an understudy for Bellerin
I hope you are right about Maitland Niles. I was at Preston and he was clueless in his positioning, tackling, passing. Worst of all he appeared to not be bothered and had no urgency or determination to cover the ground, especially when he was beaten. Just seemed to be going through the motions. Hopefully just nerves but most of their chances came from his RB spot in first half when we should have been at least 3-0 down. May not be his fault as I believe he is really a midfielder. I hear he did not have a good game at RB at Forest in the EFL as well?
I have said a few times that MN has potential and I want to see more of him, not only because he has impressed me when played with the 1st team (ok not great but still very good profress IMO) but because he can play RM as well.
I want to see MN get defending experience so he can use that in a more advanced role.
Wenger has played Gibbs at LW to help keep hold of a lead and I think MN could be a better version of that on the right, also helps with keeping players match fit etc 😛
We are blessed with Bellerin but at the same time it is a curse, someone so young being soo good makes it hard to find good cover who is happy being backup while offering enough quality.
Sell both Debuchy and Bellerin and look within the squad to fill the void, use money towards getting a top young LB, a left sided Bellerin kind of thing.