Arsene Wenger says he’s not surprised by Rob Holding’s impressive form in an Arsenal shirt and believes further game time will help the 21-year-old grow into more of a leader on the pitch.
The £2 million summer signing from Bolton has made 13 appearances in his debut season at the Emirates, including impressive showings in the FA Cup semi-final with Manchester City and Sunday’s Premier League win over Manchester United.
Having seen his fledgeling career accelerate in the spell of 12 months, the boss noted that Holding will shed his introvert nature as grows in confidence.
“No [he’s not surprised me],” said Wenger of Holding ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Southampton.
“I always expect good performances when I play a player. He had some positive performances before.
“I think in all the games he has played until now he has shown intelligence and composure on the ball.
“He, of course, needs some defensive experience but in every single game I believe he became stronger through the game.
“He started a bit nervous as you can understand, but he became stronger and always had convincing second halves.
“He has [leadership qualities] because he’s intelligent but at the moment he’s still a bit introvert.
“He’s not an outward speaker at the moment, he feels he’s not got this responsibility at the moment.
“When you start as a young player you spend most of the time focused on your own performances to make sure you’re at the level. Later, when you’re a bit more dominant and confident you go into a leadership role.”
With a doubt over Laurent Koscielny’s fitness, Holding looks likely to retain his place in the Gunners 3-4-3 formation for tomorrow’s visit to Saint Mary’s.
Good lad, have high hopes for him. Great character and very solid. Young too, will get better still.
Agreed, probably means another loan for Chambers and possibly the end for Mert unless he’s happy riding the bench.
I think Holding, like Perez, deserved more playing time this year.
Would you rather let go of Gabriel or Chambers?
It’s a tough call actually.
I’d rather hang on to chambers and let go of Gabriel if I have to pick between them (would keep both if we stick to a back 3). I feel chambers is only going to improve whereas with Gabriel he’s unlikely to make major strides so we know what we have… a good (not great) defender who is a bit error prone
Gabriel. He has all the raw qualities for a top CB but struggles without being given directions, and doesn’t understand the language. When he’s played with Koscielny, he’s been good. The times he’s replaced Koscielny, he’s been fairly terrible, Bayern case in point.
Hopefully he’s not another Senderos.
he did say the same about chambers and jenkinson but the potential is there for sure and at 2 mill a steal either way,if your good enough nowadays age does not come into it
Sorry, but young talented players is another area where Wenger simply has lost it. Over the last 10 years he failed to get the best out of so many young and extremely talented prospects and I can’t help thinking what Pep Guardiola whould have made out of Wilshere, Ramsey, Ox, Bellerin …
Wenger is simply stubborn and insist on adapting the players to his preferred style of play which is pitty.
You could counter your argument with players he helped reach their potential and more ala Henry, Ljungberg and Anelka and a load more. Sometimes perhaps the players lack either attitude, desire to become top players. Injuries that neither party to can do fuck all about isn’t on AW, just unfortunate.
He said over the last 10 years.
Is Bellerin like 30 years old or something? hahahahahahah
Jesus so many things wrong with this statement where to even start. Are you just going to conveniently ignore the fact that Wilshere has been perennially injured? Oh wait thats probably Wenger’s fault. Ramsey in terms of goal scoring hasnt replicated his 13/14 season but he has very much reached his potential, a dynamic box-to-box who can do practically anything on the pitch. His problem has been a lack of form for the last year and half or so, which has made it seem like he’s unfulfilled his potential but go back and watch his performances for Wales at the… Read more »
Excellent repost imo.
Also I am working on a “Holding” joke, watch this space….:-)
I can see him and Chambers as long term defensive stalwarts for this side. Particularly for as long as we stick with a three. Them either side of Kos or eventually Mustafi/Gabriel (should the latters improved accordingly) certainly has the potential to be very solid.
Improve*
Introverts are smart people! Take me as an example for that. Haha..
I honestly believe he is a more stable and composed defender than mustafi. He doesn’t rush into tackles and never caught out of position..he needs more game time
Agreed. I also like he seems quietly aggressive. Beating 2 Utd players to get the ball to Ox for the cross to Welbeck. Early days but looking like a great value signing, lets give him some time and allow some mistakes.
“The introvert’s Holding, the manager’s will he or won’t he”?
Someone had to do it… 🙂
he’s young, bright, english, a defender and has shown the right attributes to succeed and the best quality is he”s a gooner
He actually isn’t,grew up a manutd fan