Jenkinson: Arsenal must end their slow starts

Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson admits his side’s sluggish starts are costing them dear at the moment.

The Gunners have had to battle back from behind to earn a share of the spoils against both Manchester United and Paris Saint Germain in the last week alone.

Jenkinson has started both of those games at right back in place of the injured Hector Bellerin.

And the defender, who has one England cap, admits it is high time at they hit the ground running in games rather than having to dig themselves out of a hole each time.

“At Manchester United we especially didn’t start at our best and [against PSG] similarly,” Jenkinson said.

“It is something we have got to be aware of because it has happened a couple of times lately.

“You can look at it as a tough night, but it is always going to be when playing a top team.

(Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

“To go behind against a team of this calibre and then to come back, we have got a lot of character in this squad and we are showing it time and time again and on another day we win tonight, so it is frustrating but that is football.

“It makes a big difference, not just at this level but in the Premier League as well. You look at the stats and whoever scores the first goal, they generally go on to win the game. We have let that drop a bit lately and if we get the goal first, nine times out of 10 we win and we need to get back to doing that.”