Jenkinson concentrating on Arsenal amid England call-up rumours

The young Gunners defender is ignoring speculation tipping him for a first ever call-up to the Three Lions squad, instead focusing solely on progression at his club

Carl Jenkinson insists that he is only concentrating on his progression at Arsenal amid reports of a possible first ever England call-up.

Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson is thought to have been impressed by the youngster's performances for the Gunners this season as he deputises for the injured Bacary Sagna and could name the defender in his squad to face San Marino and Poland in the upcoming World Cup 2014 qualifiers.

Jenkinson has yet to feature on a senior international level but has represented England Under-17s and, through his mother's nationality, both Finland Under-19s and Under-21s.

"To be honest I'm just concentrating on my club football, that's my bread and butter," the Gunners youngster told reporters.

"I'm just focused on the here and now and the next game and that's [Wednesday] with Olympiakos.

"Finland have contacted me. I've told them, my exact words when I spoke to them was: 'I'm focusing on my club football', so that's all there is to it. You can read into that how you want.

"I'm going to have to make a decision at some point. As I've said many times, I will cross that bridge when I come to it. Until then I'm just concentrating on each game as it comes."

Jenkinson joined Arsenal in June 2011 from League One outfit Charlton and made 15 Premier League appearances for the Emirates Stadium outfit last season.

"It has been a whirlwind year," he continued. "I've realised in football, there's always ups and downs and it's about trying to keep a level head.

"You're always going to have downs in football, but at the same time, you're always going to have ups as well and I've just tried to not take the downs too personally and just concentrate on my own game and respond.

"I feel comfortable playing at this level now, and I just want to push on from now and hopefully keep going as I'm going."