Defensive boost for Gunners

Arsenal's defensive ranks could be boosted by the return of Carl Jenkinson for this weekend's north London derby against Tottenham.

Last Updated: 22/02/12 at 12:24 Post Comment    Bet with SkyBet  Barclays Premier League. Click here to bet.

Jenkinson: Hasn't played since November

Jenkinson: Hasn't played since November

Jenkinson has not played for the Gunners since November 5 after suffering a stress fracture in his back.

The 20-year-old, who has made 11 appearances since signing from Charlton last summer, made a successful 45-minute comeback in Arsenal's reserve win over Norwich on Tuesday night and could come in to consideration for Sunday's game at the Emirates Stadium.

Reserve team coach Neil Banfield said Jenkinson's return was "nice to see".

While the versatile defender would not be assured of a place in Arsene Wenger's starting XI, his availability would be welcomed given that the under-fire Gunners boss has a number of injury concerns at the back.

Per Mertesacker is out with a long-term ankle injury, Laurent Koscielny missed last weekend's defeat at Sunderland, while Sebastien Squillaci and Francis Coquelin both hobbled off at the Stadium of Light and will miss Sunday's game.

Wenger only has two other fit centre-halves - Thomas Vermaelen and Johan Djourou.

Another player forced off on Wearside, Aaron Ramsey, is also doubtful for the game against the club's bitter rivals, who sit 10 points ahead of Arsenal in the Premier League.

Andrei Arshavin, Yossi Benayoun and Ju Young Park both pressed their claims for a starting place against Tottenham by scoring in the 5-0 reserve win in Norfolk.

Oh wow Carl Jenkinson, i bet the Spurs players are quaking in their boots!
- dirty-verbals

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here has only been 3 players who made me hold my breath in dread when they picked the ball up anywhere near our penalty area...in their prime Scholes and Giggs... and always Drogba. Awesome player who on his day was the best striker in the world in my opinion.

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Farewell Big, Brutal, Big-Balled B**tard

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remember him scoring a 25-yarder, either the season just gone or the one before, against Bolton at the Reebok. I've never seen a ball hit that hard before in my entire life. You could almost feel the shockwave from his foot contacting it 40 yards away in the stands. Didier Droga. You might not have loved him, but you just had to be in awe of him.

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den Hazard, def. - 1) that girl in a club who makes eyes at you all night, who allows you to buy her a drink and walk her home arm in arm, who then gives you a suggestive kiss on her doorstep before declaring how tired she is and how she has to be up early the next day. 2) A cock tease.

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Hazard 'terms agreed' with trio

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