Has Rob Holding played his last Arsenal game? He could have, and I bet many Gooners are fully expecting him to finally part ways after seven years at the Emirates.
After William Saliba was injured in March when Arsenal played Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League, Arteta initially picked Holding as Saliba’s replacement.
But the 27-year-old didn’t manage to fill the void the Frenchman left perfectly. In the games he filled in at the right of the central defence, Arsenal failed to register a win. Arsenal only returned to winning ways after Arteta was bold enough to drop him and give Jakub Kiwior a chance, which was immediately met with approval as the Pole seemed to slot seamlessly into the defence alongside Gabriel.
With talk that Arteta is keen to sign another centre-back, to be William Saliba’s replacement, and recruit a right-back, there will be too many bodies in Arsenal’s defence. To bring some order to the defence, it will be necessary to let others go. Kieran Tierney is heavily linked with a move away; could his exit be followed by Holding’s? Why not? I see no other defender who was available last season leaving. With Holding and Tierney’s departures, Arteta’s defensive options could be as follows:
At right back: Sacho Boey, Tomiyasu, and White
At left back: Zinchenko, Tomiyasu, and Kiwior
At the right of central defence: Saliba, Guehi (if signed or whoever is signed), and White
At the left of central defence: Gabriel and Kiwior.
The Gunners will not be weakened by Holding’s exit, and even though they may not make a fortune for his sale, he needs to go and that’s a spot that obviously needs to be upgraded anyway.
Daniel O
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I here Pablo Mari is available for 16 million!
No club will be foolish enough to pay THAT sum for a player who is a proven failure at Prem level.
We can ask whatever fantasy sum we deem fit, but it means NOTHING, as no club will pay anywhere near that sum for Mari.
Mari is already sold for half that price
How much I pray that the loyal, likeable, but wsp Holding leaves this summer. WSP= way sub par. And all the other several WSP players we still have in our squad, mostly loaned out, but also some still here, esp Elneny. No serious club that is intent on challenging for the title once again can possibly carry so many players who are simply nowhere near good enough at our level. That includes Viera too , IMO!
Daniel appears to have either forgotten or wilfully disregarded Gabriel as a key defender. In either case, I consider that a glaring omission for any true Arsenal fan.
Nothing wrong with a back four of White, Saliba, Gabriel and Tierney.Our strongest back line I would say but , unfortunately Arteta clearly does not share my views.What about Holding moving to Burnley, a rumour which is circulating up North I believe.
I think Auston Trusty should be given a chance to prove himself at at left CB as third option. It’s going to be a long season with several games to play
Having watched Trusty on a number of occasions last season for Birmingham, I don’t think he is of Premier League standard.This is borne out by the fact that Rangers are apparently interested in buying him for 2/3m.The fact that he did not make the USA World Cup squad is another indication that he is not of the required quality for Arsenal.
I think you will find that Trusty IS included in the latest USA squad..
https://www.justarsenal.com/three-arsenal-players-called-up-for-usa-debut-for-balogun/341365
Bring guey and Tabsoba