Carl Jenkinson will miss two to three weeks due to the knee injury he suffered on Wednesday night. Johan Djourou is the likely candidate to fill in at right back, and he said that he is ready the challenge.
According to The Guardian and other sources, Carl Jenkinson will be out for two or three weeks. The 19-year old hobbled off the pitch at the Stade Velodrome on Wednesday night. Arsene Wenger had this to say about the injury (from Arsenal.com):
“We don’t know yet but it is very unlikely he will be available for Sunday. He is having a scan and we will know some time on Friday.”
Johan Djourou replaced Jenkinson against Marseille, and it was Djourou’s cross that found Aaron Ramsey for the winning goal. But Djourou was awful at right back against Blackburn. The 24-year old defender believes he is up to the task of playing on the right (from The Guardian):
“I am a centre-back first … I love my game, I love playing football and when I can play, it’s a relief. So if I have to play right-back to help the team, then I will do it. It worked out against Marseille because I played the final ball for the goal. But I just want to play football.
“I have played a few times before at right-back and it’s a completely different game. When you play centre-back you can see the whole game in front of you but when you’re on the wing, you have to adjust a little bit. When you are used to something and then you to move, it’s something else. But I’m a player who can play in different positions.”
Two of our right backs are now knackered. Bacary Sagna, a world class right back, broke a bone in his leg at White Hart Lane. Carl Jenkinson, who doesn’t even look like a right back, was at least serviceable. Sure, he was torched by Gareth Bale, but most defenders do not fair well against the Welsh winger.
It is not Djourou’s crossing I am worried about. It’s his defending. Johan, despite moderate success last season, has been in very poor form so far this campaign. Maybe his contribution to Ramsey’s goal will help lift his future performances.
In other news, Arsenal supporters were praised for their attitude at the Stade Velodrome. The away Gooners behaved tremendously according to Marseille, Arsenal, Uefa, and local authorities. Sue Campbell, Arsenal’s Head of Travel, had this to say (from Arsenal.com):
“The fans were fantastic and did us proud. They worked with us and Marseille in advance to understand what was required and followed the guidelines perfectly. They were tremendous ambassadors for the Club.”
Our away fans have been terrific all season. At Old Trafford, their voices were heard above the United supporters despite the scoreline.
