Former Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 33. The announcement came via a heartfelt statement on social media, posted just hours before Arsenal faced Manchester City in the Community Shield in Cardiff, Wales.
Career journey
Jenkinson began his career in the Charlton youth academy before breaking into the senior side in 2010. A move to Arsenal followed a year later, where he spent eight years before signing for Nottingham Forest in 2019. After three seasons at the City Ground, he subsequently moved to Newcastle Jets. He rounded off his playing career with Bromley between 2024 and 2026, departing the club as a free agent when his contract expired in May.
Reflections on football
In his statement on X, Jenkinson expressed gratitude to everyone who played a part in his journey, from his Charlton days as a kid through to his last time playing football at Bromley. He noted that football has been his life since the age of 8, giving him a lot, and he has given it a lot back.
He wrote: "In fact I've given it everything. It's for that reason that I can write this looking back over my career with no regrets. Do I wish certain things went better? Without a doubt. A lot of things."
Jenkinson also reflected on the dedication of top players, citing Alexis Sanchez as an example: "Every training session he trained like it was his last." He warned that those who don't apply themselves "fall by the wayside eventually," even when they are really, really good.
Personal struggles and advice
He admitted: "I suffered a lot with confidence throughout my career, which I found strange because my Dad always backs himself to the hilt." He recalled that Arsene Wenger would tell him, "Take the chains off," but he struggled to find that inner belief.
Despite this, he credited his insecurity with giving him the drive to run harder and train harder than everyone else, ultimately leading to a career at the top level. He described himself as "physically a machine" and took pride in that.
Jenkinson offered advice to young players, encouraging them to find the "sweetspot" between confidence and application. He praised Bukayo Saka, saying, "He's got that swagger, but you only need to listen to him in a post match interview to see he's never lost his humility."
He concluded: "I didn't want to write the generic retirement 'thanks for everything,' post as it seemed like a missed opportunity. Although of course I am very grateful to my friends, family, coaches, managers and of course the fans who have been with me on my journey. I'm looking forward to seeing what life has in store for me next. Cheers, Jenko."
