Ian Wright believes that Arsenal defender Rob holding deserves to be ahead of both Shkodran Mustafi and Gabriel Paulista.
The Gunners signed both Mustafi and Holding last summer for contrasting values, with the former costing a whopping £35 Million, compared to only £2.5 Million for the young Englishman.
The German international became an instant hit in North-London, with him not featuring in a single defeat until January 31, but questions have since been asked of the former Valencia star.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has since switched to a newly-favoured 3-4-2-1 system which accommodates three centre-backs, and Rob Holding is finally getting some game time under his belt.
Ian Wright has now moved to claim that the 21 year-old deserves to be ahead of both Gabriel and Mustafi in the pecking order.
He said: “For me, what I’ve seen of Rob Holding in a few games, he deserves a chance.
“I think the composure of him, the way he plays, watching him in a massive game against Manchester City in the semi-final.
“He can start that game but then he can’t start a game in the north London derby.
“He is more assured than Gabriel and I feel he is more assured for me than Mustafi if it was my opinion.
“I would have Holding.”
Holding was given the nod over Gabriel against Manchester United this weekend, but Mustafi is set to return from injury for Wednesday’s Premier League match away at Southampton, and he may find himself back on the bench.
Holding is no doubt a great signing, especially considering his price, and I don’t see why we shouldn’t let him to end the season with a run of games.
Does Mustafi deserve to start ahead of Holding? Can they both start alongside Koscielny?
Pat J
Deserves his chance.
Anything is better than Gabriel.
Holding holds d ball to long in dangerous areas, he gambles alot.
Obviously there are people who rate the Gabriel.
Probably never seen him defend before…
Normal Briton hype.
You’ve failed the exam. Arsenal fans are hard to please, but fair, and can admit to stuff, that’s why we are one of the best fan-bases around the world (fact). But every now and then one of us slips through the cracks, cracks up so to speak, it was nice knowing ya.
I hope you expect a thumb down from me.
Guess what?
I won’t give you that just to disappoint you and remain you that I eat cracks just for the fun of it.
Thumb’s up pal.
Arsenal fans are brainwashed to be negative by biased medias and many low IQ pundits whose showering the constant negativity surrounding our beloved classy team.
As our beloved and classy Master of Beautiful Art Football said “On one side when people are not loyal, people criticize; when they are loyal, they say they are there for too long,” he said. It’s always an excessive reaction and that’s why people in charge have to take a (step back), more than ever. Being responsible in life is to do things you think are right, it’s not to react to what people say. If you listen always to what people say, you go five minutes one way and 10 minutes later you go the other way. When you have responsibilities you have just to focus on making the right decisions and if they’re not right, you say ‘sorry, I’m wrong’. When we lose a game, I’m wrong.”
That was a true classy statement of gentleman that is our great manager ever.
KUDOS ARSENE.
It was right dropping Gabriel for Holding, I’d put him ahead of those two as-well. He’s a well rounded player.
Jose Mou-rin-ho, Jose Mou-rin-ho, ..I f*****g hate you, I f*****g hate you. Jose Mou-rin-ho, Jose Mou-rin-ho, ..and so does everyone I know, so does everyone I know.
Sorry pal I got to thumb you down this time around.
I hate Mourinho like I’d anyone who wickedly points out my weakness and beat me since 2004-2016.
Too much cracks for dinner I guess………….
I have to say Holding gives a very assured and composed impression. I prefer him much over Gabriel. Holding’s upside seems much bigger and the quicker we bring young talent along the better IMO.
Holding Koscielny Mustafi
Thats the line up. Mustafi is still adapting I reckon and next season he will be better.
Question is, Kosc will turn 32 next fall so should we get another CB? Mert has to be out the window.
How Ironic people now trolling Mustafi and praising Holding as the next Vincent Company. Well, i will prefer Mustafi all day long. The guy was so assured before he got the injury and ever since had a low key performances but I do blame it to the squad current downhill and position where everyone is demotivated. German international, no wonder why so Troll as much as you want the guy is gooood. He plays on a 3-4-3 formation in Seville and looks enormous . i do believe a new coach like Sampaoli or Allegri will get the best of him in fact the best of most of the team.
Here we go with the English hype train again. Just let the guy grow and continue to learn. He’s going to make mistakes still and that’s fine. We’ve just been down this road with so many English players. How many world class English players are there currently though? Zero
Rooney…………
At 31 can’t perform………
How many Brits was in the invincibles? Zero
Sorry RSH I got to borrow that line.
Gary Cahill seems to be doing ok at Chelsea this season. He’s an English defender.
Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole…………………..
Lol. . . Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole, Martin Keown, Ray Parlour and Stuart Taylor was our 3rd keeper but was injured the whole season (poor bugger).
OT Would you believe that squad had Cygan, Aliadière, and Rami Shaaban in it. We should have seen it then with Wenger making s*** signings lol
Africans
Are you high? Lol go back and check the invincibles squad
I reckon Holding, Koscielny and Mustafi look like a decent first-choice back three.
Holding and Mustafi will grow with more EPL experience next season, and if Koscielny can keep his legs for a couple more years until a suitable successor steps-up, that’s a good central defence.
Just got to pray that the Arsenal injury curse doesn’t get any of them…
…AND SPEND WHATEVER IT TAKES TO GET A TOP-CLASS STRIKER!!!!!!!!!!
I would prefer a back three of HOL-MUST-IELNY
I will start Mustafi-Koscielny-Holding at the back 3…
Come on guys, this comes out from Ian Wright lol
Mustafi and Gabriel is still much better than Holding, Holding stillhas a lot to learn, the kid still doesnt take risk therfore no silly fouls, but defenders need to take those risk earlier in their career and learn fast. Some of the best defenders in the world has the poorest discplinary records.
I would prefer a back 3 of mustafi kos holding. holding plays like a spanish defender, not afraid of the ball and confidently takes the ball forward which is essential for our play style. yes he may mess up some times but hey thats why there kos to cover him.
gabriel is suited for slugfest game or with opponent who use physical strikers e.g against everton and chelsea, see how he takes care of costa and lukaku.