Former Arsenal star is SENT OFF just 24 minutes into his first start for League Two minnows – as fans slam him for ‘dumb’ second yellow

Former Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson faces yet more time on the sidelines after receiving a red card in his first start for new side Bromley having not played for five months.

The right-back joined Arsenal in 2011 but had limited opportunities in north London.

He made just 70 appearances for the club in eight years and had to go on loan to the likes of West Ham, Birmingham and Nottingham Forest to find game time.

The 32-year-old found himself without a club for most of the summer, having left Australian side Newcastle United Jets, but made a shock free transfer to League Two outfit Bromley in September.

He suffered a nightmare start, however, on Saturday after being sent off for two yellow cards just 24 minutes into his team’s 1-1 draw at Cheltenham.

Jenkinson left Newcastle Jets in the summer and was without a club for four months

Jenkinson went into the match off the back of two late substitute appearances in a 1-0 win over Doncaster and a 1-1 draw with Barrow.

The ex-Gunners star was hoping to build on these 27 minutes of action after being handed an opportunity for a full 90 by manager Andy Woodman.

But things quickly turned pear-shaped for the defender after he went into the book on 12 minutes for a foul on Ethon Archer before a petulant tackle on George Miller earned him his marching orders.

The red card was his fifth in just 245 matches and means he will miss out on Bromley’s next game against Charlton in the Football League Trophy on Tuesday.

Cheltenham went on to take advantage of the imbalance in numbers through Archer on 51 minutes but the away side managed to grab an equaliser thanks Omar Sowunmi in the last 10 minutes.

Fans took to social media after the match to weigh in on Jenkinson’s sending off.

One said: ‘I’ve just watched Carl Jenkinson get sent off for the dumbest second yellow I’ve ever seen.’ 

Another posted: ‘I thought @premierleague officiating was bad but turns out the lower leagues are even worse.

‘Carl Jenkinson sent off for two fouls. Soft fouls at best. Neither bookable offences and yet the referee decided to make a name for himself.’

The right-back headed to West Ham in 2014 in a bid to secure some game time 

Jenkinson (right) made an appearance for England in November 2012 against Sweden

A third added: ‘In case anyone was wondering what Carl Jenkinson was up to these.’

Despite struggling for time on the pitch at the Emirates, the defender managed to win an England cap under Roy Hodgson in November 2012.

Speaking to club media after arriving at Bromley, Jenkinson said: ‘How’s it feel? It’s good, I’m glad it is sorted out now with all the international clearance stuff which was dragging on a bit.’

The south London side are playing in the Football League for the first time and, despite a solid start to the campaign, have slumped down to 19th after failing to win in nine matches.