Arsenal star who has been dropped from the starting eleven over the last couple of matches is now expected to leave the Gunners this summer.
Arsenal centre-back, Rob Holding started all of the games since William Saliba picked up his injury, up until the victory against Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium last week. Since then Jakub Kiwior has come in and Arsenal have won the last two games, looking more convincing than ever before.
This has put Rob Holding’s future in jeopardy ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Dean Jones at GiveMeSport.
It’s been widely reported, Mikel Arteta will look to add quality in depth this summer ahead of a return to the Champions League for Arsenal next season and one position high up the list is a new centre-back.
Arsenal have stumbled in recent weeks since William Saliba’s injury and one reason is because of the lack of quality in depth Mikel Arteta has in certain positions. The Arsenal boss is keen to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen next season, regardless if Arsenal end up Premier League champions come the end of May.
Pundit Ian Wright has labelled the criticism aimed at Holding as unfair, with the Premier League title race swinging in Manchester City’s favour.
“For some reason, simply because Rob Holding has come in to fill the gap of William Saliba – which is very tough – he’s getting a lot of stick, which is unfair.
I think Arsenal and other certain players have dropped their standards which makes mistakes, but for some reason, you blame Rob Holding.”
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David Jones at GiveMeSport has given his opinion on the Arsenal centre-back by saying he believes Rob Holding is a great professional who gives everything for the club, however he’s simply does not have the ability required for a team trying to win the Premier League.
When asked if Holding was the centre-back most likely to leave Arsenal this summer, Jones told GiveMeSport:
“I’m sure there’s some danger there. We know Holding’s limitations, but he’s given everything to try and raise his game for this season. I think everyone will appreciate that.”
Despite eventually being dropped for Kiwior in Arteta’s starting XI, Holding has received praise from former Arsenal legend and captain Tony Adams after he stepped up in the place of the injured Sailba last month.
“I love Holding to bits because he has a wonderful attitude, but I watched his last two games against Crystal Palace and Leeds, and he hardly touched the ball. He was so comfortable playing in a team full of confidence and working together as a unit that I reckoned I could have done that job — and I’m 56 years old!”
With Gabriel and William Saliba forming a superb centre-back partnership this season and the likes of Jakub Kiwior and one new centre-back set to join the club ahead of next season, it appears Rob Holding’s Arsenal future could be up, despite the benefits of what he brings to the dressing room.
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