Arsenal outcast Carl Jenkinson makes first start for nearly TWO YEARS in Carabao Cup against Blackpool

ARSENAL outcast Carl Jenkinson will make his first start for nearly TWO YEARS in the Carabao Cup against Blackpool tonight.

Hector Bellerin has been ruled out with injury, as an inexperienced line-up takes to the Emirates for the fourth-round clash.

Meanwhile, Julio Pleguezuelo takes his spot in the Arsenal starting XI alongside the likes of Emile Smith Rowe and Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

But Jenkinson's return after two years is the headline, having last played for the Gunners 701 days ago.

The defender - who spent a year on loan at West Ham - has been roped in as cover for Bellerin.

The Spanish full-back injured himself in the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace and could miss the huge clash with Liverpool this weekend.

With Stephan Lichtsteiner roped in to play at left-back tonight, that opened up a spot for Jenkinson to make his return.

And the official Arsenal Twitter account was optimistic about the return, saying: "Welcome back, Carl. All the best, Jenko - we're right behind you."

Jenkinson last played in the 2-0 EFL Cup loss to Southampton on November 30 2016 - where one of his errors led to a goal.

The right-back failed to play again that season and joined Birmingham on loan for last season.