Former Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson faces even more time on the sidelines after receiving a red card in his first start for new club Bromley after not playing for five months.

The right-back signed for Arsenal in 2011 but had limited opportunities in north London.

He made just 70 appearances for the club in eight years and had to go on loan to teams such as West Ham, Birmingham and Nottingham Forest to find playing time.

The 32-year-old was left without a club for most of the summer, having left Australian side Newcastle United Jets, but made a free transfer to League Two side Bromley in September.

However, he got off to a nightmare start on Saturday after being sent off for two yellow cards just 24 minutes into his side’s 1-1 draw at Cheltenham.

Carl Jenkinson saw red after two yellow cards in just 24 minutes against Cheltenham

Former Arsenal defender Jenkinson had a nightmare first outing for Bromley on Saturday

Jenkinson left the Newcastle Jets in the summer and spent four months without a club

Jenkinson came into the match after two late substitute appearances in a 1-0 win over Doncaster and a 1-1 draw with Barrow.

The former Gunners star was hoping to make the most of these 27 minutes of action after manager Andy Woodman gave him the chance to complete 90 minutes.

But things quickly changed for the defender after he went into the book in the 12th minute for a foul on Ethon Archer before a petulant tackle on George Miller earned him his marching order.

The red card was his fifth in just 245 games and means he will miss Bromley’s next match against Charlton in the Football League Trophy on Tuesday.

Cheltenham took advantage of the numerical imbalance through Archer in the 51st minute, but the visiting team managed to equalize thanks to Omar Sowunmi in the last 10 minutes.

Fans took to social media after the game to weigh in on Jenkinson’s sending off.

One said: “Just watched Carl Jenkinson get sent off for the second silliest yellow card I’ve ever seen.”

Another posted: ‘I thought @premierleague refereeing was bad but it turns out the lower leagues are even worse.

‘Carl Jenkinson was sent off for two fouls. Mild fouls at best. No cautionable offense and yet the referee decided to make a name for himself.’

The right-back moved to West Ham in 2014 in a bid to get some playing time.

Jenkinson (right) played for England in November 2012 against Sweden.

A third added: “In case anyone was wondering what Carl Jenkinson was doing with this.”

Despite struggling for game time at the Emirates, the defender managed to earn an England cap under Roy Hodgson in November 2012.

Speaking to the club media after arriving in Bromley, Jenkinson said: “How are you feeling?” It’s okay, I’m glad it’s settled now with the whole international clearance thing that was dragging on a bit.’

The south London team are playing in the Football League for the first time and, despite a good start to the campaign, have fallen to 19th place after failing to win in nine games.