Jenkinson: Van Persie the perfect captain

Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson believes Robin van Persie is the perfect captain.

Van Persie has been in great form this season, scoring 26 times in the top flight alone, but the youngster insists it is not just the Dutchman’s goalscoring that makes him a good leader.

“With Robin being the skipper, if you have any problems or just need some advice then he is one of the first people I would go to,” Jenkinson told Arsenal’s official website.

“He is the perfect captain. He is approachable – which is very important – and he is open to opinions. He also leads by example on the pitch.”

“If you are the captain of a club, you need to lead the way and show the way forward to everyone to follow. He definitely does that.”

Jenkinson also revealed that he is enjoying learning the game off more experience players in his position, especially Per Mertesacker who he believes has been a great influence in the dressing room since arriving last August.

“I am also quite close with Per – he is a defender and has been around the game a long time and has a lot of experience, so he often gives me little tips here and there,” he said.

“I know I can always go to him if I need to talk about something.”