I’m a former Arsenal star who won one cap for England but only after I switched international allegiance from Finland

THIS former Arsenal star once looked destined to be an England regular after switching his international allegiance from Finland.

But after featuring just once under Roy Hodgson, the fallen star failed to play again for either nation.

GettyCarl Jenkinson earned one England cap after switching allegiance from Finland[/caption]

The right-back is best remembered for his time at ArsenalNews Group Newspapers Ltd

Carl Jenkinson, 31, was tipped to become a top player for club and country after bursting on to the scene in 2010 with Charlton.

His impressive performances in League One secured a 2011 move to Arsenal.

And Jenkinson ended up playing 70 times for the Gunners before departing for Nottingham Forest in 2019.

The right-back, who also took in loans at West Ham and Birmingham, now plies his trade in Australia with Newcastle Jets following a spell at Melbourne City.

But things could have turned out differently for Jenkinson had he gone on to become an England mainstay.

The Essex-born defender made one appearance for the Three Lions’ U17s before declaring his intention to play for Finland.

Jenkinson clocked up games for their U19s and U21s before receiving a distress call from senior England boss Hodgson in 2012.

The tactician wanted Jenkinson to replace Kyle Walker following an injury to the then-Tottenham ace.

Jenkinson now plays in Australia with Newcastle JetsGetty

And Hodgson eventually convinced him to make the switch, handing Jenkinson a debut off the bench in England’s 4-2 friendly defeat to Sweden.

The ace then dropped down to U21 level, playing 14 times before age ruled him out of contention.

However, Jenkinson never got a second call-up to England’s senior squad.

He was still eligible to play for Finland too, having only featured for the Three Lions in a friendly.

But a recall never came, with Jenkinson sure to wonder what could have been had he stuck with his original choice.