• Premier League

Jenkinson tells Arsenal youngsters to rise to challenge

ESPNsoccernet staff
August 23, 2011
Carl Jenkinson admits he needs to repay Arsene Wenger's faith at Arsenal © PA Photos
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New Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson says he and his fellow Arsenal rookies must perform better to help the side out of their current crisis.

In the wake of Cesc Fabregas' sale to Barcelona and the anticipated departure of Samir Nasri to Manchester City, the Gunners have also suffered an injury crisis with Laurent Koscielny, Johan Djourou and Tomas Rosicky out of action in addition to suspensions to regular first-teamers Gervinho and Alex Song.

Jenkinson stepped in to play right-back in the 2-0 defeat against Liverpool, while fellow kids Ignasi Miquel, Emmanuel Frimpong and Henri Lansbury were also involved, but the 19-year-old believes he and his team-mates must rise to the challenge.

"There are a lot of young players in the squad, me included," Jenkinson acknowledged. "But we are there for a reason - people believe in us - and all of us young ones have to step up to the mark and take responsibility, and that is what we will do.

"We are going to have ups and downs but that is part of football. We did well against Udinese and then things did not go our way with Liverpool. But we will bounce back. We have got a lot of quality and will come back from this, without a doubt."

Meanwhile, young Costa Rican striker Joel Campbell has revealed his joy at sealing a move to the Emirates. "Greetings to the Arsenal fans," he said. "It is a dream come true to play for such a big club in England and I want to do well for myself and Costa Rica. I am ready, I am very happy to be here and I want to focus on doing well for Arsenal.

"Arsenal is a very well-known club in Costa Rica. I am making history because no other Costa Rican player has ever played in a team with the quality of Arsenal. Only one player has been in the Premier League before but not like the one I am at now.

"Arsene Wenger is a manager of immense quality. He knows how to use youngsters' ability. I have been watching Arsenal play since I was a kid and I took this decision because I know I have a possibility to become a better player here.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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