Consistent Arsenal star likely to leave despite recent new contract

Rob Holding is claimed to be a likely departure from Arsenal, with the likes of William Saliba and Ben White set to battle it out for first-team minutes.

We currently have Pablo Mari and Gabriel Magalhaes likely to battle it out for the left-central role of defence, while Saliba, Ben White, Calum Chambers and Rob Holding are all looking to be available to play on the right, and The Times claims that the latter would be likely to leave in such a scenario.

While Holding doesn’t represent the most attractive defender to watch, he was our most consistent at the back last term, playing his part in 11 clean sheets, while none of Gabriel Magalhaes, Pablo Mari or David Luiz could boast any more than six clean sheets from their PL season, according to the Premier League’s website.

Despite Holding’s record, he did end the season as back-up to Luiz, and it wouldn’t be inconceivable to image him falling down the pecking order this term, especially with both Saliba and White tipped to join the playing squad.

The English centre-back only signed a new three-and-a-half year deal back in January, to tie him to the club until the summer of 2024, whiich seemingly appeared to be a reward for his consistent performances.

Does Holding deserve more credit for his season? Does anyone rate Holding over Ben White?

Patrick

Tags Rob Holding

22 Comments

  1. Keep that defense of last campaign together. it worked well. Best to send Saliba on loan and then sell Holding only when he returns.

    This is a clear indication that another defense guy is not actually a necessity. Arteta keeps dispalying his inexperience

  2. If we sell Holding how much would we get realistically? Considering White is 45/50mil

    1. Holding struggled to be first choice when we had mustafi, Sokratis and Luiz.

      Put him in with Gabriel, White, Saliba and Mari and I am afraid he is looking like the weakest link. Add to that the potential of full internationals Ballard and Rekik then I think an offer in the region of £15-20m would see us accept the offer and make a tidy profit in the process. The only thing that might keep all the centre backs at the club until the last days of the window is the fact Gabriel is away at the Olympics, whilst White could miss most of the pre-season.

  3. If and it seems more likely when Ben White
    becomes an Arsenal player who do Arsenal fans
    prefer to challlenge the Englishmen for that spot?
    Who do Gunners want to see given an opportunity
    in domestic cup competitions or EPL rotational
    fixtures?

    If the answer is Rob Holding than why are Arsenal
    fans across the globe clamoring about the
    hypothetical that the young Frenchmen will be
    sold when BW arrives in NL.

    RH has been a good servant to the club during his
    time in NL but if a suitable offer is submitted AFC
    shouldn’t think twice about moving him along.

  4. Holding’s pace and ability (lack of) with the ball at his feet is what prevent him from being Arteta’s first choice RCB

  5. It’s not a question of rating Holding against White, but rating him against our 5 other CBs. Not having seen much of Saliba nor Mavroponas I am unable to comment on their virtues, but based on the form he displayed last season, I much prefer Holding to Mari and Gabriel.I accept Mari was signed as a standby and as such his signing can probably be justified, but in the case of Gabriel, I am far from convinced regarding his ability to make it in the EPL for a number of reasons I will not elaborate upon.As for Chambers, I would retain him not only for his versatility, but for his excellent attitude and spirit.

  6. This day and age you need to have pace or be as good a defender as a John Terry or a Tony Adams, so I think we should sell holding for 15-20 million and next year we will have 5 center halves
    Saliba, mari, White, gab, Chambers..

  7. Nice, half decent player who signed for us back in 2016 – now’s the time to move on.

    Given the abuse MA is receiving re’ Saliba’s return, let’s just see what the defensive unit looks like when all deals are done.

  8. Holding backup to Luiz at the end of the season,, as Luiz was out injured the last month Holding must of been his back up to stop him falling over,,, reports = farcical

  9. Rob Holding is an average Championship player at best.
    His distribution is awful.
    Bang average player.
    We need an upgrade on these type of plaayers.

  10. Should Arteta sell or loan out Saliba, he will prove 2 me the baby (rookie) coach I consider him 2 be. But should he retain Saliba & move on Holding, then I will know he has learnt his lessons. Holding should be with the U23’s, not in our main team.

    1. Holding had been decent for Arsenal and always gave his all when called upon, at a point, he was our best defender when Gabriel and co lost it. Arsenal really needed an upgrade in our defence but saying Holding should be in the u23 team belittles him. He can thrive in Epl clubs but not the top 8 we’re in now

  11. Some arsenal fans, they want to keep a half decent central defender and still challange in the league, it will never work.

    If truly we are a serious team then Holding(with all due respect to him) should not be in the team, he’s good in the air or on the ground, lacks pace, strength and awareness and technically(passing and distribution) not good enough. He’s only strong point i’ve seen so far is his man marking(1v1).

    Good enough for a mid table team really but not for a team that plans on winning the league in the nearest future.

  12. I don’t understand the Holding dismissal on this site.

    I for one would keep him as he was our most consistent defender last season. If anyone I would let go would be Gabriel or Mari.

    What he lacks in pace (which isn’t essential as a CB but a luxury) he makes up with heart and commitment and I don’t recollect a game where I have said he has cost us.

    Also can I just add, and I may have mentioned it before… he is HOME GROWN.

    I don’t think White (if he comes) is Holdings replacement but more probably CCs and I can see Chambers moving into midfield or vice versa. White can cover a multitude of positions on the right side as well as play centrally. So this may be a replacement for Xhaka which in turn will supply us with an orthodox CDM. Hence the Bissouma links have died down, also it opens up a international spot.

    It appears the priorities are Odegaards and Cebellaos replacements to compliment Partey if he needs rest time.

    I for one would prefer to see what we buy before we start selling as I still don’t see what the plan is for next season. Very makesy upsey.

  13. Speaking as a fan of over 60 years attending matches, I have always and still do, subscribe to the classic philosophy that you build a top team from the back . I am not at all against White arriving, as seems to be imminent.

    I am all for a proper top level CB after all the woeful and plain average ones we have had through more than two decades with only a handful of good ones in all that time(since the George Graham back four retired).
    Most posts on JA seem firmly against us signing White and want the money spent elsewhere first. I disagree!

    I also want money spent elsewhere but unlike most Gooners, I firmly believe that all quality sides MUST HAVE AN EXCELLENT, NOT MERELY AN ADEQUATE DEFENCE. Witness the huge upgrade in Liverpools perfs after VvD arrived.
    So I cannot wait until Ben White arrives, as now seems almost certain.

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