As per various reports, Sunderland are keeping tabs on out of form Arsenal right-back Carl Jenkinson and could make a move for the former Charlton defender in January.
Sunderland are currently enjoying their reviving run in the league and are fast moving out of the relegation zone, in which they spent most of the first half of the season. The Black Cats were massively crippled by injuries initially and a lot of players have now returned. However, one position that they are yet to recover from is the right-back position.
Although Billy Jones has improved greatly as the season progressed, David Moyes will surely look to bring in more recruitment to beef up that area. And Arsenal’s Jenkinson could exactly be that player.
The 24-year-old has only made five appearances for the Gunners so far, this season, with just one appearance in the Premier League. With Hector Bellerin shining brilliantly in that position, Jenkinson has moved down the pecking order. And his current horrible performances that have almost cost Arsenal games on few occasions has led Wenger to makeshift Gabriel Paulista in the right-back area.
The former Charlton defender joined Arsenal in the summer of 2011 and has since had two spells on loan at West Ham United. Sunderland were in for Jenkinson last summer on loan but he instead opted to join the Hammers.
Wenger has stated that the right-back to be suffering from ‘under-confidence’ and the team will be backing the English player. However, he has taken more than expected time to fit in and it won’t be surprising if the Gunners decide to cash-in on him coming January.
With Gabriel playing in that position in quite an adept manner, Wenger won’t be much bothered with is absence as he will still be having Calum Chambers and Rob Holding in the defence. Despite being 185 cm and 77 kgs, he has struggled in aerial duels and tackling. He shields the ball quite well, though.
Moving to Sunderland might also not be a good choice for him as Moyes has options in that position in Javier Manquillo, Donald Love and Jason Denayer, all of whom could fill that option. However, looking back at his West Ham stint previous season, he has been quite consistent at times and now has experience under his belt to go straight to the first team. It is just a matter of time and encouragement and he could prove to be a dark horse for Moyes.
