Last night saw the return to the first-team for centre half, Rob Holding and what a return it was for the 24-year old defender.
Holding got his name onto the scoresheet just moments after he became Arsenal captain on the field of play following Mesut Ozil going off. It was a dream return and the young man has been speaking about his role and fellow long term absentees Kieran Tierney and Hector Bellerin.
Talking about his return Holding said via Arsenal.com,
“It’s been a long process and there’s been lot of long days in the gym with me and Hector, but I couldn’t have written it any better myself to make that comeback. The way it panned out was just brilliant”
Next, he linked becoming captain with his well-taken goal
When I got told I was vice captain I was over the moon, so when Mesut came off and passed the armband over I was so happy. Then it went perfectly again, Reiss put a great ball in and I managed to get my head on it.
Holding also reflected on Bellerin’s return and the impact the Spaniard had straight away.
Yeah, he comes on straight away, has a touch and shot that ricocheted out and then he slides in for the assist. He’ll be over the moon with that and I think Calum Chambers had three assists? He’s playing really well at the moment. The young lads that are coming through like Bukayo, Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock have performed at a top, top level too.
Finally, Holding moved onto the performance of Tierney
He’s a top-quality lad and he’s a great lift in the changing room as well. He’s a really nice guy and he’s settled in really well. I’m so happy for him to play and get 60 minutes under his belt.
I like what I am seeing from Holding, he is showing qualities that could see him in contention as a future Arsenal captain.
Holding has had a good return to action, it has gone very well, better than a lot had thought he just needs to continue going the right way, Arsenal is screaming out for a long term rock in the middle of the defence and Holding could just be that man.
He did great
I can see him becoming permanent captain in the future
The whole team did well
And Spuds losing in penalties was the icing on the cake
hehe
Our defense needs a complete overhaul.. Bellarin, holding, Chambers, Tierney with Torreira and Guedozzi protecting the backline. No 10. Use either Ozil/Ceballos.
Play martinelli as the CF and Auba as LW ( these two players can always switch positions) RW Pepe.
I still think we ARSENAL fans should not be carried away at the moment yes it was a fine display by the team we should look at the price which is the cup come February next year
Couldn’t watch the game, but saw all the highlights. Chambers deserves to start the United game. Like so many others on here, I’ve been wondering why Emery’s refusing to give him his chance in EPL games.
So far all the games Chamber’s has played in all resulted in clean sheets.
I think one reason he’ll struggle to start this season is his own versatility. Emery seems to be obsessed with moving the boy around. Even Emery admitted it after the game, citing his versatility. Chambers won’t be able to have a starting spot because he’ll be needed in other positions. Something dumb if you ask me, Bellerin was injured, and a top club like Arsenal decided to start the season without a proper right back.
I thought Tierney played well with what I saw, He caught my attention with his crosses, something I mentioned yesterday. I hope he doesn’t become catch the virus of always giving out low crosses like Kolasinac and Montreal. He made one lovely cross, the one that Smith-Rowe headed but got saved. Someone said we don’t have a target man so he should stick to ground crosses. Need I remind you Liverpool play with zero target man, hell they don’t have any. But yet most of their goals were aerial crosses from their fullbacks.
Players don’t need to be target men or tall enough before they can get crosses inside the box.
Are you telling me Aubameyang doesn’t know how to head the ball, Lacazette doesn’t? When it comes to aerial crosses, any player on the pitch can get the goal, so saying Tierney better stick with our normal low crosses is dumb IMH opinion.
Saka also again, showed yesterday he’s not interested in the low crosses either, the goal Willock should’ve scored. Still I’m being proved right, Saka seems to be showing the most talented and confident player among all our academy players so far.
I ain’t counting Martinelli as our academy player, he’s the only academy player I know, can easily beat defenders in one on one situation.
Loved Holding’s goal though.
I think Willock, Guendouzi, Ceballos should be our midfield on Monday. But we all know we’ll be going back to our lame àss slow midfield just to accommodate Xhaka.
Guendouzi start Monday night? Are you serious? Not for me! Tierney is a good defender who can get up and down the pitch with ease and can cross the ball into dangerous areas. Willock is still easy pushed off the ball, not for me yet. Xhaka a definite no no. Kolasinac cant beat the 1st defender with his crosses, no. Chambers into midfield with Terrira and Ceballos. Bellerin wing back with Holding in the middle and a n other. Aubameyang with PEPE and Martinelli.
What a genius, Guendouzi who has been our most effective midfielder this season on the bench and chambers who has been doing a good job in the back four to replace Guendouzi. While immediately putting Bellerin who just got back from every footballer’s worse nightmare as the right back in a tough game.
You my friend, will ruin this club more than Emery will in five years
I agree with you Eddie, Guendouzi has been excellent in most games. I think it would take a lot though for anyone to make more mistakes than Emery has made. For me the two centre backs should be Holding and Mustafi with Chambers right back and hopefully Tierney at left back but if he doesn’t play then anyone else other than Kolasinac.
👍👍👍!
Like you Eddie have always known that Saka is a real talent, he’s just a joy to watch the way he goes past players like they are not there is pure class, and like you I think he’s the most talented academy player we have now.
Good assessment Eddie
Spot on
Couldn’t watch the game, but saw all the highlights. Chambers deserves to start the United game. Like so many others on here, I’ve been wondering why Emery’s refusing to give him his chance in EPL games.
So far all the games Chamber’s has played in all resulted in clean sheets.
I think one reason he’ll struggle to start this season is his own versatility. Emery seems to be obsessed with moving the boy around. Even Emery admitted it after the game, citing his versatility. Chambers won’t be able to have a starting spot because he’ll be needed in other positions. Something dumb if you ask me, Bellerin was injured, and a top club like Arsenal decided to start the season without a proper right back.
I thought Tierney played well with what I saw, He caught my attention with his crosses, something I mentioned yesterday. I hope he doesn’t become catch the virus of always giving out low crosses like Kolasinac and Montreal. He made one lovely cross, the one that Smith-Rowe headed but got saved. Someone said we don’t have a target man so he should stick to ground crosses. Need I remind you Liverpool play with zero target man, hell they don’t have any. But yet most of their goals were aerial crosses from their fullbacks.
Players don’t need to be target men or tall enough before they can get crosses inside the box.
Are you telling me Aubameyang doesn’t know how to head the ball, Lacazette doesn’t? When it comes to aerial crosses, any player on the pitch can get the goal, so saying Tierney better stick with our normal low crosses is stoopid IMH opinion.
Saka also again, showed yesterday he’s not interested in the low crosses either-the goal Willock should’ve scored. Still I’m being proved right, Saka seems to be showing the most talented and confident player among all our academy players so far.
I ain’t counting Martinelli as our academy player. Saka is the only academy player I know, can easily beat defenders in one on one situations.
Loved Holding’s goal though.
I think Willock, Guendouzi, Ceballos should be our midfield on Monday. But we all know we’ll be going back to our lame a$$ slow midfield just to accommodate Xhaka.
I couldnt be more happy for RH and HB
on there return to the 1st team. Both
will have major roles to play in
Arsenals fight for the top 4 and EL
glory this season. Well done lads
My personal takeaways from the game.
Have always been a huge admirer of
MO and on his day can still pull the
strings against the best teams in the
world. WTS his AFC days seem to be
numbered and I wouldnt be surprised
to see him leave in Jan on loan.
Xhaka should only be selected for
Domestic cups and Europa League
home fixtures. It may have been
against lowly Championship
competition but Arsenals midfield
looked so much more cohesive and
potent without the lumbering Swiss.
His skill set, whatever that may be
has no place amongst the likes of
Torreria/Gdouzi/Willock/Ceballos and
AMN when he returns from injury.
Frankly he should be shopped around
in January.
Saka,Martinelli, Willock and Nelson
are potential AFC superstars for the
future and are pretty GD good right
now.
Tierney has solved Arsenals LB issues
for the next decade( if he can stay
fit) Absolutely brilliant display
by the young Scott, and a perfect
cameo of how the position should
be played. When young Lopez is ready
Kola may have to consider a return
to Germany.
Even though a small sample, Mustafi
has been very impressive in his last
2 appearances and SHOULD join a FIT
Rob Holding as the preferred CB
pairing going forward. As stated
by someone in another thread the
mercurial German is at his best
when complimented by an assured,
calming presence like RH. Luiz
and Mavro the backups and well
Socratis can join Xhaka on the bench.
Martinez is knocking on the door to
displace Leno. The Argentine has
been fantastic thus far and may
receive a few EPL starts if the
German continues his rather
pedesteian form.
CC should start @ RB against Manure
and be given a serious look by
Emery at either CB or DM going
forward. The Englishmen has not put
a boot wrong in his limited
appearances this season and imho
AFC desperately need more players
that share his passion and pride
for the badge.
That 5-0 demolition to these eyes
appeared to be more of a Lungberg
than Emery portrait.
On to Manure, and please Emery get
the team selection and tactics right.
LDDWWW?
Lost. Draw. Draw. Win. Win. Win
If seniority counts and matters at Arsenal, shouldn’t Calum Chambers be the 1st vice-captain on the night for the Nottinham Forest match last night, and Rob Holding be the 2nd vice-captain for the match? But I am not Emery who makes the decisions.
If seniority counts and matters at Arsenal, shouldn’t Calum Chambers be the 1st vice-captain on the night for the Nottinham Forest Carabao Cup match at the Ems last night, and Rob Holding be the 2nd vice-captain for the match? But is Emery who makes the decisions and not me.
Guendouzi start Monday night? Are you serious? Not for me! Tierney is a good defender who can get up and down the pitch with ease and can cross the ball into dangerous areas. Willock is still easy pushed off the ball, not for me yet. Xhaka a definite no no. Kolasinac cant beat the 1st defender with his crosses, no. Chambers into midfield with Terrira and Ceballos. Bellerin wing back with Holding in the middle and a n other. Aubameyang with PEPE and Martinelli.
Captain Rob Holding. Sounds just perfect and the kind of demeanor he has, a perfect fit.
Young guns look good in defense and upfront.
Let me let of some steam at ranch Trafford!
Rob Holding should be our club captain,then emery must learn how to set his line ups by using the performing players in the pitch,no need of xhaka someone who always let us down,as i saw the game yesterday vs forest the boys were everywhere at the pitch,no sideways passes,we have to play the direct football and first,no favours for under perfoming players eg xhaka,sokratis,kolanasic,
It’s reported on Arsenal news now that a 20 year old was stabbed to death last night..as he waited for a train, on his way to watch Arsenal play. Terrible…. when will it ever stop?
😥😢
Savages! Awful news Sue. Did you see Kieran Tierney last night Sue ? I told you he was good 😉😃
My ideal back four when everyone is fit
RB-Bellerin
RCB-Chambers
LCB-Holding
LB-Tierney
but I don’t think Emery has the balls to bench Luiz
I don’t think anyone in their right minds should bench Luiz.. he is by far the best Arsenal defender.
I said Holding would be captain, it wasn’t until Ozil came off that that became true. His performance along with other young ones was encouraging. Fully fit, most of them should be 1st starters next season. If this year some are part of the rotation so be it. For some it’s a debut season, tierney, willock nelson saka martinelli…
Holding should be captain long term, tierney and bellerin long term centre backs, chambers play more often in rotation (allowing for Saliba to enter too) with luiz. We are not short of options, even mustafi has shown some levels of concentration.
Willock and Torreria winning the ball in front of gendouzi is ideal. I would say Ceballos in rotation with willock or torreria and ozil with nelson atm for LW. Creativity in this will come from wide men mostly. I think this gives more energy to play.
To me I will like to see experience players