Yes, the sole reason this article exists is for the Bonnie Tyler reference in the headline.
Little known fact – Carl Jenkinson’s dad sang the ‘turn around’ backing vocal on her 1983 number 1 hit ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’.
True story.
Anyway, where were we? Ah yes. Arsene Wenger says he’ll probably hand Rob Holding his Premier League debut this weekend as he looks for a streetwise Hercules to fight the rising odds.
The 20-year-old – never before compared to ‘a white knight upon a fiery steed’…until now – will likely partner Calum Chambers as the Gunners tackle Liverpool on Sunday.
Hinting that his new signing is ‘fresh from the fight’ of the Championship the boss played up Holding’s qualities.
“I have a few [defensive] options that we have seen in pre-season. That is basically the players we have available at the moment, who are quite young but have a great desire to do well.
“[Rob Holding] played in the Championship and that is a good experience [to deal with one level higher], to have played in the Championship.”
Arseblog News is really quite excited to see how Holding copes…”through the wind, and the chill, and the rain, and the storm, and the flood, we can feel his approach like a fire in our blood.”
Yeah, we’re drunk.
This could turn bad in a hurry. But let’s support the boys on Sunday
Comforting to know that Chambers can’t play as he did in the first half at home v. Liverpool last year.
Comforting to know that Chambers can’t play as poorly as he did in the first half at home v. Liverpool last year.
He could and the thought of it’s far from comforting. Hope he doesn’t but…
Could play like he did when he came on against Leicester though. Didn’t put a foot wrong
the rookies have to play at some point! It’s like interviewing for your first job and they tell you that you’re inexperienced. At some point, you gotta throw ’em in the deep end! No more cliches (or Clichys) from me.
Am I really that old?
Holding given the task of holding arsenals defense together on Sunday. Let’s hope he does well
Holding looked good in preseason. The step up to PL might be daunting, but am sure he’ll learn quickly – looks like a smart boy.
Great pun on the article title
The Batsman’s Holding, the Bowler’s Willey.
Sorry, wrong sport.
The defenders holding the midfielders coq
Holding up to Asano
Steve Bould “Should we sub him Boss?”
Wenger “Id keep Holding on”
This kid’s name has endless possibilities.
I’m very sure we are very happy regarding the transfers when the window closes.
Mustafi’s dad, and agent, says there has been no contact from Arsenal? Posturing? Playing the media? Truth?!
Two young inexperienced defenders to start a season opener. Coming off from a season where expectations were not met and yet another disappointing transfer market…… Don’t judge me too harshly if I skip this game.
Er, we will actually.
You should support the club even if they sign nobody and get relegated otherwise you’re just a nonce.
no one cares what you do
We haven’t watched a competitive Arsenal game in over two months, I’d be up here in the US at 8 am even if we threw our U-19’s on against the Scousers. COYG can’t wait for the new season to start
Mate – that comment shows you’re not worth the blink of eyelid, let alone actually engaging the single brain cell that judging would require.
repeat after me: s u p p o r t e r
Hey hey. I said he’d play in this game since the preseason tour of California. Tbh I’m sure he’ll do fine. Calum is who I’m most concerned about. I think he’ll come good In the end but I just remember that start vs Licerpool last season. Fingers crossed for Sunday. COYG.
Yeah, I watched the video. Love a bit of Bonnie, me.
Is it wrong that I actually have more confidence in holding than chambers??
Seriously?? When chambers has loads more experience and cost a shed load more money,(costing more doesn’t mean better, I know) for me I’m just concerned that the arsenal have been left behind in the transfer market again, and this time it’s going to cost us massively!!
Jeez, that’s an interesting theory. Never heard that one before Wenger’s coat. Go on, please.
Perhaps a little. In general it appears we like any new thing irrationally – witness the applause when Cech caught relatively simple balls in preseason a year ago, almost as if the Emirates crowd had never seen a keeper actually make a save before. Gabriel’s signing was used to harp on about Per’s shortcomings, Flamini’s about Arteta, The Ox about Walcott, etc.
Little known fact? Not around here…
Go home news hound, you’re drunk!?
Come on Holding, for the love of Bonnie Tyler!
That Bonnie Tylor video is hilarious, no wonder that the world looks like it does today when our parents had to watch that kind of shit. Delirium here I come 😀
What is really shit is nowadays music; 80’s music was sublime in comparison
If AutoTune existed back then we’d have all been fucked.
Today’s artists are all about the image and brand building all orchestrated by the label.
80s bands had to write their own lyrics, make their own tunes and riffs, be kickass on their instrument of choice and just all around highly talented musicians.
I was about to slam you and defend the ’80s music I grew up with. Then I thought I’d better just watch the video first. My God, that was bad!! Bobby – I think you are right as it relates to this video. BUT, we did have some great music in the 80s – The Cure, Pogues, Smiths, New Order, early Police etc etc. Then , there was Bonnie Tyler…..
If he happens to pull some Liverpool player’s shirt, can we say he was “Rob holding”?
SUNDAY 8PM. ORIGI WRIGGLES FREE IN A BLOODY MESS. FLASHBACKS OF RED AND BLACK CLOUD HIS EYES. THE PROPHECY HATH COME TO PASS. THY HOLDING CHAMBER TAKES NO PRISONERS.
Fuck it, let’s smash them 5-4. COYG
I laugh in the face of the farce of a transfer season!!! One more season of being told to “keep quiet and support the lads on the pitch till end of season no matter what…” Let’s do it lads..
Ps;
Hope you don’t mind that we repeat this process again next summer transfer window… It’s our lot as Arsenal fans…??
Last season we did quite well defensively but every now and then we fall apart. Oh wait that’s the wrong song. Anyway he’s looked good pre season but this will be a real test for the young lad. I’m sure our fears about this boy playing were the same when Bellerin was called up to the first team.
They’re both right footed…not good for a central defensive partnership. I think we will pair him with Monreal : Gibbs at left back. This is not a good way to start the season, although I agree with the decision not to risk Koscielny and we may possibly get away with it as we are at home , but….
It will go toxic in the stadium on Sunday if we lose.
Was about to say similar mate. Backline would probably be.
Cech
Bellerin-holding-Monreal-Gibbs
It all makes sense. Wenger not buying an experienced defender, Per and Gabriel getting injured… it all had to happen exactly the way it did.
Just so that this post could exist. ??
Now I have an earworm. Thanks for that.
I’m afraid Wenger prefers the Tina Turner classic “We Don’t Need Another Hero”.
Although I would hope that we can’t make the same mistake this time and that the people in charge are looking for someone we can rely on, because surely, there’s gotta be someone better out there.
But you have gotta wonder if we are ever gonna change it.
It increasingly feels like we are the ones they left behind.
We have been beaten by championship sides before. The players are not that pathetic. Holding and Chambers can hold their own for one game.
We are used to losing the first home match of the season, so brace yourself, and then wait for Wenger to look for all sorts of excuses
Where the hell IS Sanogo?? Anyone know?? Coygs!!!
yaya sano-gone
Haven’t you heard – it’s now changed to Sooo No-no.
Why does he have to make everything a big deal. Look at what happened with Vardy. All the reports and news and it became a saga and in the end he turned us down.
Look at Chelsea. They wanted Kante. They bought Kante. No fuss made. They did it quietly, quickly, no problem.
Arsene has to make a big deal out of everything. He buys players like Giroud and says he can’t find upgrades.
#redonkulous.
He doesn’t make it a ‘Big Deal’, the media does.
His constant chatter of Arsenal not competing with other rivals financially, English league having more money and crap like that.
He is the only manager that constantly talks about money and the English league. We know, we do not need to be reminded in every interview and press conference.
Check your facts. He knows how to play the media. And you too clearly.
Seems to me like we’ve finally entered the Chambers of perfect player-related puns.
We needed a centreback before the injuries.
Just proves Wenger had no intention of signing one.
Because he still hasn’t with 2 out long term.
Thinks every season the squad will cope but never does.
Time for change ….
Err… The Mustafi deal appears all but done.
I hear him, frey and trabelsi are in a fiat panda stuck at Finsbury park
I remember a few seasons ago we played Liverpool early in the season and our defenders were Miquel and Senderos if I remember well, they held out until the 78th minute we 2-0 courtesy of a Ramsey OG plus Frimpong was sent off. The boys can do a job but we’ll need a very strong midfield
Was that the season we sold cesc? If I recall nasri played even though he had one foot out the door and actually busted a gut for us. If he did and did play as well (or at least look like he was trying) then I need to wash my mouth out for remembering that weasel in anything but a cunty light.
Given the size of his gut that must have been some sight…..
Ya gooners ya!!!
We have no choice than to use what is available right now, I believe DAT both Chambers and Holding will com good but we must act fast in the transfer market and get in an experienced CB asap.
There’ll be 30+ players making the same step up through moving or being promoted. This lad was a standout in that level.
We’re nervous as this is Arsenal, we rarely witness that step up but it’s not exactly rare.
Our style of play means it’s sometimes harder to defend than in a team that plays deeper, but then there’s also less defending to do.
The lad has some talent. Let’s see how it goes.
Rarely???
Bellerin… Coquelin… Iwobi… even Cesc vs Pat for Juve, that wonderful coming of age night.
I fucking love this stuff.
Now for the traditional blind faith comment…
Let’s gets tore into this mob! COYG.
Good to be back on Arseblog?
A Valencia newspaper writes that the guy claiming to be Mustafi’s agent actually has nothing to do with the player (and this according to Mustafi’s father):
http://www.superdeporte.es/valencia/2016/08/11/padre-mustafi-desmiente-oferta-arsenal/306708.html
You’ll have to use google translate if you don’t speak spanish
Or just read in Spanish even though you don’t understand it… it’ll make about as much sense anyway!
The real reason I like Wenger is in this fact, giving youth a chance and lately British players have had a ride in an Arsenal shirt. It used to be all French players. Personally AW is a legend and my prayer is he go on a high whenever he decides to call it a day. Holding out for a win against Liverpool.
If all our forwards and midfielders stay fit, who needs defenders? I’m deluded and believe we’ll sign Lacazette, Mahrez (don’t really need a winger but he’ll be a great signing), Mustafi and Matheiu on deadline day. I do believe the window should close before the season kicks off though. It’s a bloody distraction.
I hope Holding can HOLD THE DOOR.
I’d let myself out for that joke but someone’s HOLDING THE DOOR!
If we start with xhaka and coq/elneny who can provide good defensive protection, then we’ll be fine. Stop through balls and coutinho from shooting, we’ll be fine. Liverpool will be full of energy and their high press we struggle with. This will be a tough game
I regret not getting a screenshot of that song’s wikipedia page the day it was changed to “Carl Jenkinson’s dad” on backing vocals. That was epic.
To be honest I’m more concerned with Chamber’s performance rather than Holding’s. Holding will hold on.
To all the pessismistic so-called supporters. Go and watch another game!! Support your team. Period. The boys will do well
Little known fact – do you know that if Arsenal score at least one goal more than Liverpool on Sunday then that means that Arsenal win the game?
Why does nobody have confidence in Chambers??
In the first half against Liverpool last year he was poor, but in the second half he came out a different man.
He’s better and more experienced than Holding and for some reason everybody seems to hate that he could be playing…