“Our Saviour”, “He’s alive”, “Masterclass in Lisbon” – Fans can’t believe the Arsenal player that flew with the squad

It’s been 23 months since Carl Jenkinson last played a competitive game for Arsenal, but the right-back could well end that barren run on Thursday night in the Europa League.

Unai Emery’s squad has now left England for Lisbon ahead of their group stage game with Sporting CP and players have been posting pictures from the plane on social media.

Several star names have travelled, including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mesut Ozil, Lucas Torreira and Alexandre Lacazette – but it’s the inclusion of Jenkinson in the squad that has got everyone talking.

It’s a long-running joke amongst Arsenal fans that the defender – a self-confessed fanatical fan of the Gunners – does not want to leave the club that he loves, even though he never plays.

So there has been quite a reaction on social media after he was spotted sitting with the squad in one of the pictures Aubameyang uploaded from the flight to Portugal.

Here are few reactions:

Is that the missing man Carl Jenkinson?? Jenkinson masterclass in Lisbon incoming https://t.co/rjk3pUipuE

— James (@JamesClements28) October 24, 2018

Is that the missing man Carl Jenkinson?? Jenkinson masterclass in Lisbon incoming https://t.co/rjk3pUipuE

— James (@JamesClements28) October 24, 2018

Our savior .. CARL JENKINSON

— Abdullah AlTabtabae (@ArsenalQ8) October 24, 2018

If emery makes Carl Jenkinson a baller the man deserves manager of the year

— subliminalplayboy (@chiittybang400) October 24, 2018

IS THAT CARL JENKINSON https://t.co/Cfw0AMjBvj

— ST (@StelTriteos) October 24, 2018