When Bacary Sagna departed for Manchester City on a free transfer it was clear from the start that Carl Jenkinson was not ready to fill the void left by the Frenchman. Serge Aurier was touted with a move to the Emirates, which didn’t bode well for Jenkinson. However, the club changed their approach and are now set to announce Mathieu Debuchy’s arrival from Newcastle United.
The arrival of 28-year-old Debuchy means that Arsenal will be able to continue the development of Carl Jenkinson and highly-rated 19-year-old Hector Bellerin, who could enjoy first-team experience this season. It all looked good, until Arsenal were linked with a move for Atletico defender Javi Manquillo.
Spanish youngster Manquillo has been linked with a loan switch to the Gunners, with an option to buy after a year at the Emirates. It’s a win/win situation for Arsenal, as they get cover for Debuchy and if it doesn’t work out, there’s no loss for the Gunners as Manquillo would return to the Spanish capital.
However, it raises questions over the long-term future of Carl Jenkinson. If Manquillo is coming in on-loan, then you would assume that Carl Jenkinson would be departing the Emirates for the duration of the season. Newcastle have been linked with a move for the youngster, which seems ideal.
At Newcastle, Jenkinson would be able to enjoy first-team football in the Premier League which would set him up perfectly for his future at Arsenal- but if Manquillo impresses at Arsenal, then what?
Should Manquillo stay at Arsenal for the long-term, Arsenal would have four right-backs available for selection, which is obviously unnecessary. Therefore, one of those players would be on his way out- and it’s unlikely to be Debuchy or Bellerin.
The likely candidate for an exit would be Jenkinson but Arsene Wenger has put a lot of faith in the young defender and his passion for the club is clear for everyone to see, which suggests the French manager would not allow the former-Charlton man to depart. There’s really only one option that suits everyone.
Arsenal need at least one more centre-back but should Thomas Vermaelen leave, the Gunners will need a double arrival at the middle of the defence. Capturing two central defenders who would be happy to play back-up to Per Mertesaker and Laurent Koscielny is highly unlikely.
Jenkinson should be crafted into a central defender, which would make him a superb squad player a she would be able to cover on the right and in the centre of defence- which Bacary Sagna did many times for Arsenal. Jenkinson would start up as a reserve but as his development continued, Jenkinson could become a first-team choice in the centre.
If Manquillo really is the route for right-back in the long-term, then Jenkinson would have to become a central defender. Otherwise, he’ll be forced out of the club- which would be a massive waste. Moving Jenkinson to the centre and signing a more experienced understudy to Mertesaker and Koscielny is the perfect piece of business from Arsene Wenger.