Growing up a mad Arsenal fan, Carl Jenkinson timed his run to perfection, age six when Arsene Wenger claimed the first of three titles and 10 trophies during their dominant Premier League era.
At 19, and within four months of his senior Charlton debut, the fairytale was complete. Jenkinson was signed by Wenger, and blooded straight into the Champions League before a Premier League debut against Liverpool.
Now at A-League champions Melbourne City, a forthright Jenkinson admitted that his Gunners passion was tough to channel.
“It was an honour. What can you say really? How many people in the world get to play for the club they support? Very few. To have had the opportunity to do that, was incredible,” said England-capped Jenkinson.
“Arsenal-Spurs was always the derby for me growing up as a kid watching it. Then playing in them games as I got older.
“Maybe at some points in my career at Arsenal, it probably meant too much to me because you become so attached to what you’re doing and wanting to do so well that maybe it can go the other way at times. It means so much to ya.
“But I wouldn’t change them things – I loved playing for Arsenal. The way I approached it was the way I approached it, I gave it my all and had plenty of good times. It was incredible to play for Arsenal.”
Playing 70 times for Arsenal, including 41 Premier League appearances – in addition to another 59 games at West Ham – Jenkinson’s highlight was the 5-2 North London derby win in his debut season, when Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott were among the scorers.
“I was so young and it was so close from being a fan to becoming a player,” he said.
The full-back is preparing for his first local derby clash with Melbourne Victory this Saturday at AAMI Park, and if the dramatic pre-Christmas clash (2-2 draw) is any indication, it looms as an epic.
“Derbies in general are always special for people who support clubs. Even though it’s not as big a scale here for example, it’s still the ardent fans who follow City, it means as much to them as it would an Arsenal fan against Spurs,” Jenkinson said.
“If you follow a football club you follow a football club. It’s a different amount of fans, but the passion behind it from a fan’s perspective is the same.
On loan from Championship side Nottingham Forrest with many good years ahead, Jenkinson, 30, is relishing his new digs.
“As English players, the easy thing is always to stay in England – everything is there and the level of football is good. In life it’s good to get out of your comfort zone sometimes and try a different challenge,” he said.
“The world’s a big place, there is so much more to see in life and football than just England. It’s becoming more commonplace for players to go and play abroad now, which is good.
“There’s so many leagues around the world and so many challenges out there and I feel I’ve made the right call coming here. I’m enjoying it, I’ve played a lot of football and getting back to where I want to be on that front.
“There is a lot of quality in the league. Especially attacking players, some of the players you come up against are very high level – I’ve been surprised by how good.
“I still want to play at a good level and challenge myself. In all honesty I didn’t know what to expect coming out here, it’s all new to me. It’s helped get the best out of myself, but I also feel like there’s a lot more to come.
“Away from (the field), what’s not to like? It’s a great lifestyle.”
