EFL Championship side Nottingham Forest have made their eighth signing of the summer transfer window by snapping up Arsenal full-back Carl Jenkinson. The 27-year-old signed for the Notts for an undisclosed fee on a three-year contract. Jenkinson who also has one England cap to his name.
He was destined for bigger things at Arsenal but injuries hindered his progress continuously as he could only manage 70 appearances for the Gunners during his eight-year-long stay in north London. He joined Arsenal way back in 2011 as a teenager from Charlton Athletic.
The Story Of The Arsenal Player Who Has Left The Emirates Now
The right-back could only manage eight appearances in the 2018-19 season for the Gunners, three of those coming in Europa League where they reached the final and eventually lost to London rivals, Chelsea.
Jenkinson also had a long period of loan stay at West Ham United where he spent the 2015-16 and 2016-17 season before moving to Birmingham City also on loan only to get injured in his first match for the Championship side. He made his senior debut for England as one of the seven debutants as he came on as a 74th substitute for Glen Johnson in a 4-2 defeat against Sweden in a friendly in Stockholm back in 2012.
Jenkinson has always been close to the Arsenal fans considering he was one of the last survivors of Arsene Wenger’s British brigade. The 27-year old on his departure from the Emirates wrote a heartfelt letter to the Gunners via Instagram.
What Did The Player Say On His Instagram Handle After His Departure?
Jenkinson’s Instagram post read: “This is a message that is hard to write so I am going to keep it short. I am leaving Arsenal in pursuit of a new challenge and a fresh start, and ultimately to play regular football again. I can not really put into words what it has meant to me to play for this club, but what I can say is I have truly lived my dream. This brings me to you, the proper Arsenal fans, as I have lived your dream too.”
“It has been an up and down journey for me but I hope you all have seen how much it has meant to me and know that I have given it my all. Played 70 games for Arsenal which if you told me I would do as a kid I would have laughed at you. I have many great memories and friendships from my time at this special football club, and it is a chapter in my life that I will cherish forever. I see a great future for the club under the current manager and coaching staff and I look forward to seeing this unfold. As for now, I will take my seat back in the stand, as a fan, with the rest of you. With love, Jenko #afc”
🤝 Jenkinson joins!#NFFC are delighted to announce the signing of England international defender @carljenkinson for an undisclosed fee from @Arsenal on a three-year contract. pic.twitter.com/JbeH0aERUv
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) August 7, 2019
Arsenal fans have been very kind to the English right-back and have paid tribute to the man departing the club permanently. However, Nottingham Forest have not started their new season brightly, as they have suffered a 1-2 defeat against West Bromwich Albion in their EFL Championship opener which also happens to be their new manager Sabri Lamouchi’s first game in charge of Forest.
