Arsenal defender wants first team football in order to claim World Cup spot. Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson is aiming to achieve a regular run in the first team this season in order to have a fighting chance of making the England squad for the 2014 World Cup. Jenkinson has been at the Emirates Stadium for two years after signing from Charlton Athletic in 2011 for just £990,000. The 21-year-old has played 23 Premier League matches since making the switch, but is still considered second choice at right-back to Bacary Sagna. “It would be a dream for me to go to a World Cup and if I can play for Arsenal every week then I would give myself a chance,” Jenkinson was quoted on Sky Sports. “Hopefully I’ll get more playing time than I did last year because that was a bit frustrating at times but I think this is an opportunity to show I’m ready. “I want to push him [Sagna] for his place. I hope I can push on to the next level and ultimately take his place and play every week. “Everyone wants to play in the World Cup. That’s the pinnacle. As a player you feel a bit more pressure, because it’s so important for any player. It’s a huge year for me.” The Arsenal man earned a full England call-up last November in a friendly against Sweden, still to date Jenkinson’s only international cap. With Liverpool’s Glen Johnson and Kyle Walker of Tottenham Hotspur ahead of youngster in the pecking order for the national side, it’s going to be a tough call for the Gunners full-back to even make the World Cup squad. That being said Jenkinson has got a full season to prove himself to national manager Roy Hodgson and as the defender points out, if he can get a run in the side at the Emirates Stadium there is no reason the Englishman can’t be on the plane to Brazil. "Alex"
Posted on: Fri, 19 Jul 2013 19:18:29 +0000