Former Arsenal and West Ham defender Carl Jenkinson has announced his retirement from football at the age of 34.The 2014 FA Cup winner was part of Bromley’s League Two promotion-winning squad last season, but was released earlier this summer.Jenkinson made three appearances in Arsenal’s 2013/14 FA Cup-winning campaignGettyJenkinson, who earned one senior cap for England – featuring for Roy Hodgson’s Three Lions against Sweden in 2012 – joined Bromley in September 2024.But he battled injury setbacks during his time at Hayes Lane, with the right-back featuring in just 13 matches in his opening season.And he was restricted to just five League Two outings last campaign as Bromley won the title to secure their place in England’s third-tier.In a lengthy statement confirming his retirement on social media, Jenksinon confessed to struggling with confidence issues throughout his career.What did Carl Jenkisnon say in his retirement statement?He posted on X: “Thank you to everyone who played a part in my journey, from my Charlton days as a kid through to my last time playing football at Bromley.“From the age of eight, football has been my life, it’s given me a lot, and I have also given it a lot back. In fact I’ve given it everything.”“It’s for that reason that I can write this looking back over my career with no regrets. Do I wish certain things went better? Without a doubt.“A lot of things. I once scored an own goal from 30 yards out. I certainly wouldn’t mind deleting that from history.“But were these bad or difficult moments ever because of a lack of effort? No. Like I said, I gave football everything. Everyday.“And I guess I’m writing this because I can see that’s getting lost a bit these days.Jenkinson was released by Bromley after just less than two years at the clubGetty“I don’t know if it’s social media painting a certain picture of what a footballer looks like, but I want to be clear, behind the scenes these top players train like their life depends on it.“Alexis Sanchez, wow. Every training session he trained like it was his last. The ones that don’t, they fall by the way side eventually.“Even when they’re really, really good. I’ve seen it happen to too many young pros and scholars, trying to make a name in the game.“Apply yourself everyday, listen to your coaches and learn from the players who have already been where you want to get to.“Because if you don’t make it, and it’s because you got carried away with yourself, it’ll be a heavy burden to carry later in life.“I suffered a lot with confidence throughout my career, which I found strange because my Dad always backs himself to the hilt.Jenkinson scored once for Arsenal from his 70 appearances across all competitionsGettyHis fine form at the start of the 2012/13 season saw him rewarded with his one and only England capGetty“I saw loads of people, to try and unlock something within me and find that inner belief. ‘Take the chains off,’ Arsene Wenger would say to me, ‘I’m trying boss,’ I would say to myself.“But I’m certain it was that same insecurity that gave me the drive I have, that would make me run harder and train harder than everyone else.“Ultimately that’s what gave me a career at the top level, because physically I was a machine and I took a lot of pride in that.“Was the way I am a blessing or a curse for me? A bit of both I think. But you can only play the cards you’re dealt and try and make the best of them.“I’m writing all this because I hope some young players might read it. You guys have so much confidence these days!“I wish I could nick some of it and take it back in time, but confidence without application and having that fire in your belly to improve everyday won’t get you far.View Tweet: https://t.co/nNzTv6i0bq“I see less young players doing extras, working on their craft, doing extra running after training. Trust me, you won’t have a career if you neglect this aspect.“Try and find the sweetspot. That’s why I love guys like Bukayo Saka. He’s got that swagger, but you only need to listen to him in a post-match interview to see he’s never lost his humility.“Find the sweetspot. Hopefully the above has some value to someone out there. I didn’t want to write the generic retirement, ‘Thanks for everything,’ post as it seemed like a missed opportunity.“Although of course I am very grateful to my friends, family, coaches, managers and of course the fans who have been with me on my journey. I’m looking forward to seeing what life has in store for me next.”Jenkinson came through the youth ranks at Charlton before joining Arsenal in 2011.The right-back went on to make 70 appearances for the Gunners, mostly under Wenger, lifting the FA Cup in his third season at the club.Jenkinson took part in Bromley’s title celebrations having made five League Two outings last termShutterstock EditorialHe scored once for his boyhood club in a 2-0 win at Norwich on the final day of the 2013/14 Premier League campaign.After loan spells with West Ham and Birmingham, Jenkinson went on to sign for Nottingham Forest in 2019 on a permanent deal.Despite the disappointment of his Arsenal exit, Jenkinson admitted he was happy to go back to supporting the Gunners.“It was difficult. I was so sad that it had come to an end. I needed a bit of time to get over the fact that I wasn’t a player anymore,” he told The Athletic in 2023.“I think I just needed a little bit of time to become a fan again.”Jenkinson has also appeared on talkSPORT since leaving Arsenal, revealing the best Gunners team he ever played with and likening current Gunners boss Mikel Arteta to club legend Thierry Henry.Following his time at Forest, Jenkinson headed to Australia, where he won the A-League title with Melbourne City, before returning to England with Bromley two years ago.He also turned out for Welling United and Eastbourne Borough – on loan from Charlton – as well as another Australian sidein Newcastle Jets.