Rob Holding says Arsenal supporters can rest assured that he’s grown a few centimetres recently after spotting that his Wikipedia page had listed him at just 5ft 10in tall.
The 20-year-old, who signed for the Gunners from Bolton in July, is in line to make his Premier League debut tomorrow when Liverpool visit the Emirates – another step in a rapid nine month rise to prominence.
Speaking to Arsenal’s new digital programme – #COYG – the England under-21 international reflected on his journey to the top and how he’s always felt comfortable at centre-back.
“I joined Bolton when I was eight and was there for 12 years before I joined Arsenal. I have always been a centre half, I had to play right-back a bit when I first broke into the first team, but as soon as I moved back to centre half it felt more comfortable and I played better.
“I’ve always been one of the tallest in my age groups. It said on Wikipedia that I am 5ft 10in – I’m sure the fans were worried if they read that, but hopefully now they should realise I’m taller than that!”
We’ve had a look at Wikipedia and it looks as though his profile has been updated; there’s now no reference to his height. Transfermarkt lists him at 182cm which is just under 6′ but he looks taller than that.
Holding also touched on how his move came about, revealing Arsenal made initial contact before he went to the Toulon tournament which England went on to win.
“It was unbelievable really,” he said. “When you hear a club like Arsenal are interested – a top, top European club – I was a bit overwhelmed by it. I heard about it before I had my summer break.
“I went away with England under-21s then had my own holiday and went back to Bolton and nothing had changed, I was still working hard to get back in the team and prepare for a season in League one.
“Then it developed quickly and I ended up moving here. I had been at Bolton for 12 years so it was difficult to leave, but when Arsenal come in for you, you can’t turn it down. For them to come in and want to sign me, it’s more than an honour.”
That’s the spirit — good lad!
so…how tall is he?
Somewhere between 5’10” and 6’10”
Haha we’re sure.
You may not, but I sure believe him. These things can be grossly misleading. I, for one, am definitely a lot bigger than my wife is willing to admit.
I told her the same thing about me too.
Looks like she down voted you.
I like this kid
it must be an incredible feeling going from bolton in the championship to (possibly) starting for arsenal vs liverpool in the season opener. let’s hope his progress continues. seems like an absolute steal for only £2 million
It is not a steal. An understatement really. Its simy daylight robbery!! For just 2 mil for such quality (not doubt lack of experience)…but the attitude, the work rate. Wow!!
He made our transfer business sound so fast. Or maybe it is, but we all wish it was even faster
I’m sure he’ll get great support at The Emirates tomorrow….I hope he doesn’t become a symbol of Wenger’s abject failure in this transfer window.
He could get roasted tomorrow and his confidence could be shattered straight away….that would be down to Wenger.
Definitely browsed social media haha. I like this guy, he comes across really well and looks promising. Hopefully if he’s picked tomorrow he has a strong debut.
If the boss is still around 6’3 – 6’4, Holding is easily in the 6’1-6’2 region.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=holding+arsenal&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=905&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi3zpjssb7OAhXGCcAKHb7pBtAQ_AUIBygC#imgrc=b7_PPsinDRZkMM%3A
In any case, doesn’t matter how tall he is – just how much heart he shows.
A great prospect. If he plays tomorrow it’ll be the biggest game of his life so far. I’m sure he’ll be just fine.
do you hear that Jarmie Fucking Vardy? When arsenal comes for you, you drop everything and run
In the end it could have been us who turned him down at the last moment. We don’t care about petty things like saving face so we just let him drive the narrative if he likes. Have you seen how shit he was today?
Well he was shit yesterday #OneSeasonWonder
So was Mahrez.
Good luck on your debut and keep Holding, everything in it, Yours to take it!
*gl on ur pl debut
182 cm is just over 6ft.
Just under, mate. 183 is 6ft.
Shit 182.9cm. My bad, I was under the impression that 180 is 6ft 🙁
You have to wonder how he got 3 thumbdowns for that
I saw a picture of Holding standing next to Arsene on the official site
recently during a training session, and he’s around the same height,
so he’s well over 6 foot.
“When Arsenal come in for you, you can’t turn it down”. An intelligent player
too, he’ll go far!
Good luck 🙂
Next he’ll tell us he’s faster than his rating in FIFA.
‘Top, top’ – he has the lingo down already.
In making that phrase popular, the Redknapp family have a lot to answer for.
Their first defence witness: Poochie Bark.
Yeah, bottom, bottom people.
Sounds like a great lad and im happy to have him!
Holdings height has all the hallmarks of Kanu’s age
He’ll be as tall as he needs to be tonight.
RIP Holdings Wikipedia Page. It will never display the correct number from now on
I don’t know if any of you remember, but his Wikipedia page used to say that he was a Chelsea supporter and the second cousin of John Terry. That was quickly erased (presumably by an Arsenal fan) a few days after he was signed. Still wonder if it’s true, though…
Syphilis or worse would certainly be preferred to that scenario.
Bolto receive an extra payment if Holding plays tomorrow..
Expect Monreal to partner Chambers at CB
With great height comes great responsibilities…
I am hoping this i’m a single dad has a fine debut. But I can’t be the only one who is worried we might ship two or three goals tomorrow.
Oops. “I’m a single dad” was supposed to be “promising lad”. Bloody hell.
And here we find the rarest example of Cockney rhyming slang this side of J*hn “completely blunt” T*rry
I need to check my wiki page to be sure my age is correct
I need to check my age to make sure my wiki hasn’t dropped off.
I was standing right behind the goalpost when Arsenal played against MLS All Stars and he looked almost as tall as Cech and I was surprised and thought to myself at the time that this can only be a good thing, especially in BFG’s absence.
Can’t say I am not extremely nervous about tomorrow and the lack of experienced CBacks.
Hopefully Koscielny does start even if not 100%
Then it will be a choice between Holding, Calum or Bielik.
The problem with this trio would be naivity. They need to keep it simple no nonsense.
We will also need Granit to sit and screen for the Cback pairing (maybe even Coquelin)
Everything-else builds from defensive solidity.
Inexperienced and naive are not interchangeable words.
Chambers has experience with us.
Holding has played for England U-21 and has excelled in the Championship. If you are a naive defender in the Championship you get your balls kicked back into your body cavity very quickly…. of course, that could explain his sudden gain in height.
I am Rob Holding.
I am Iron Man
I am Brian and so’s my wife.
stupid tall people.
What? All of us?
Holding looked great in preseason! Bielik was very impressive too (although he looked nervous at times), I wouldn’t be surprised if Wenger backed these two over Chambers who didn’t look as assured. Wenger spoke about the CB spot being up for grabs for either of those three, and about how much he liked Bielik.. We will see come Liverpool. Hopefully Xhaka adds some much needed protection to our defence this season. I also hope he starts along side Elneny (who looked our best midfielder in preseason) with Ramsey on the right and Santi in the no 10! COYG
I know it was only a friendly but Icardi looked ordinary tonight v Celtic B team. 70 million me hole
Why are we really scared? I guess Holding is almost at the same age bracket with Stones
Don’t think age is the issue, Stones has been playing in the Prem for over two seasons. Holding has absolutely zero experience of it. He might be great immediately but it’s doubtful. That’s why we value experience. It helps you be better. That’s why the worry. Personally I think Holding has a higher ceiling that Stones but at the moment you’d have to go with the more experienced man.
Tbh his height has been a cause for some concern in me -I think Chambers is a bit on the short side for a CB- but I thought maybe Wengers thinking of when we play top teams who have tend to have quick skillful strikers, rather quick skillfull CB’s than heavy artillery? But now I can see he’s clearly 6’2″ plus I’m breathing all sorts of sighs of relief.
Rob is going to deliver,I trust that young man.
If we had signed Holding for 22 million everyone would consider him the next best thing since King Henry, In a world where stones cost 47mil, this isn’t a steal its high level Crime Interpol should be informed
Thats true because had we signed Stones everyone will be happy