LT

Views and thoughts my own

[LT @liquidchild7]

@KieranMaguire Always with the 1,000 tickets 😂

[Carl Jenkinson @carljenkinson]

Thank you to everyone who played a part in my journey, from my Charlton days as a kid through to my last time playing football at Bromley. From the age of 8 football has been my life, it’s given me a lot, and I have also given it a lot back. 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. I once scored an own goal from 30 yards out. I certainly wouldn’t mind deleting that from history. But were these bad or difficult moments ever because of a lack of effort? No. Like I said, I gave football everything. Everyday.

And I guess I’m writing this because I can see that’s getting lost a bit these days. I don’t know if it’s social media painting a certain picture of what a footballer looks like, but I want to be clear, behind the scenes these top players train like their life depends on it. Alexis Sánchez, wow. Every training session he trained like it was his last. The ones that don’t, they fall by the way side eventually. Even when they’re really, really good. I’ve seen it happen to too many young pros and scholars, trying to make a name in the game.

Apply yourself everyday, listen to your coaches and learn from the players who have already been where you want to get to. Because if you don’t make it, and it’s because you got carried away with yourself, it’ll be a heavy burden to carry later in life.

I suffered a lot with confidence throughout my career, which I found strange because my Dad always backs himself to the hilt. I saw loads of people, to try and unlock something within me and find that inner belief. “Take the chains off” Arsène Wenger would say to me. “I’m trying boss”, I would say to myself. But I’m certain it was that same insecurity that gave me the drive I have, that would make me run harder and train harder than everyone else. Ultimately that’s what gave me a career at the top level, because physically I was a machine and I took a lot of pride in that. Was the way I am a blessing or a curse for me? A bit of both I think. But you can only play the cards you’re dealt and try and make the best of them.

I’m writing all this because I hope some young players might read it. You guys have so much confidence these days! I wish I could nick some of it and take it back in time, but confidence without application and having that fire in your belly to improve everyday won’t get you far. I see less young players doing extras, working on their craft, doing extra running after training. Trust me, you won’t have a career if you neglect this aspect.

Try and find the sweetspot. That’s why I love guys like Bukayo Saka. 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. Find the sweetspot.

Hopefully the above has some value to someone out there. 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

[LT @liquidchild7]

@carljenkinson You lived our dream mate. Every one of us who grew up standing on the North Bank who dared to dream they'd one day leap the barriers and pull on the famous red and white. Can't wait to see what you do next!

[LT @liquidchild7]

@LTrossard Trossard again Olé Olé!

[LT @liquidchild7]

@AngusMoorat @SamiMokbel_BBC Would love to see us get the squad into a position where he and Saka can be given until the first International break as a full pre season. Integrate them back into the squad for the congestion of October to January fresh and have them peaking in April and May when it matters

[Arsenal @Arsenal]

The Arsenal. Your Premier League champions.

[LT @liquidchild7]

@AngusMoorat Am I right in saying that next season this would be Cat A+ too? So even more expensive then

[LT @liquidchild7]

@AngusMoorat Only dolphins could hear the noise I made when he beat the second man and waz clean through 😂

[LT @liquidchild7]

@AngusMoorat Maybe he should concentrate on finding a way to win in the manner he thinks is more acceptable.

We spent 15 years being praised for nice football that ultimately didn't win anything. Plaudits don't always make prizes

[LT @liquidchild7]

@AngusMoorat They planning to spend any of that 3.9% and A+ money on WiFi and or improved mobile coverage?

[LT @liquidchild7]

@LauraKirk12 @AnnieAgar As an Arsenal fan and a 49ers fan, this is the cultural cross over I never knew I needed!
My two favourite content creators in one concept!

[LT @liquidchild7]

@NOTYOUBENTLEY It worked, just picked up the audio book.

[LT @liquidchild7]

@IsYoursGold2 @LouisDunford

[LT @liquidchild7]

@PaulMerse Mate, you and Rocky were my favourite players when I started going to games in the late 80's.

Couldn't care less who you support, you gave us Anfield 89, only losing once in 1991, cup double and that celebration, Copenhagen 94. You're an Arsenal legend

[LT @liquidchild7]

@northbanksyafc @Masaka83 This is how it feels to be Tottenham!

This is how it feels to be small!

We got Eze, you're throwing paint at the wall!

[LT @liquidchild7]

@NOTYOUBENTLEY And that's almost as good as us winning the League I guess

League
Champions League
FA Cup
Tuesday Club Podcast
League Cup
Charity Shield

[LT @liquidchild7]

@REDactionAFC The TIFO was exactly what I expect when a marketing department does something that is supposed to organically come from the fans.

Also unfortunate that the minutes silence sucked the life out of the atmosphere we'd built up.

[LT @liquidchild7]

@kevinhunterday Until last year, there was the Walter Tull in Northampton opposite Sixfields Stadium. But Greene King closed it down