Rob Holding says video analysis and more communication between players is helping Arsenal better prepare for the counter-attacks of their opponents.
While the stats suggest the Gunners continue over-index on the number of chances they concede to opponents, few would argue that the Gunners have found a better balance between free-flowing attack and defensive discipline since Unai Emery’s arrival.
A re-jigged midfield, featuring a dedicated enforcer in Lucas Torreira, and an eagerness to win the ball further up the pitch has definitely played a part, but for Holding the attention to detail of his new coach has also been integral to better organisation at the back.
“Wenger was very good for me as a manager and what he did for me,” he told Sky Sports ahead of Sunday’s game with Bournemouth.
“He encouraged me to play out from the back, showed me how to and gave me confidence.
“The main difference is how we’re defending when we’re attacking. When we’re up the other end of the pitch, how we are organised and prepared for a counter. That has been the biggest difference.
“We’re really focusing on video work, moving as little as five yards in some positions which makes all the difference when getting to the ball.
“When we were playing we would be stood there and no one would be talking to each other, whereas now there is much more communication. We seem a bit more organised and a bit more together at the back.”
Having started the season on the bench, Holding has gone on to establish himself as a regular in Emery’s starting lineup. He’s now made 12 appearances this season and shown real progress getting to grips with the new policy of playing from the back.
Following a disappointing campaign last time around, he’s now targeting a first call-up to the England senior squad.
“I think this is my best run in an Arsenal shirt,” he noted. “Consistency-wise, it’s been 12 games consistently playing to a good level, not playing because someone is injured but on merit. That gives you more confidence.
“Gareth Southgate has brought a refreshed feeling to England with a lot of young lads. If you’re playing well in the Premier League week in, week out, as we saw with Callum Wilson and Lewis Dunk, you’re going to get chances.
“You want to be a part of what they are creating at the moment. Obviously what they did at the World Cup and there is the Euros in over a year’s time. It’s a great time to be involved with England so why wouldn’t you want to be.”
Onwards and Upwards we go, COYG.
That picture is so emo. (Which is a good thing, obviously)
Unless you are Jose Mourinho and David Squires in on to you.
Crazy stuff if ‘no one would be talking to each other’ in the defence. the best defences work as a unit. Explains a lot of the issues where a few yards one way or the other would have made a difference to conceding a goal.
Glad we are trying to improve this.
Don’t want to come across as a hater, as I know this place doesn’t do criticism, but I’m not seeing this improvement against counters. Even as recently as the Palace game it was absolutely shambolic. And we are still occasionally doing that Wenger-days thing of being caught on the break when winning games in the dying minutes, which I don’t think I’ve ever seen from another team at any level. That said, with the new coaching regime we should hopefully see less and less of this nonsense. Holding himself can be a bit sleepy when we have sustained attacking possession,… Read more »
We’re definitely conceding on the counter now
He sure pocketed Costa in his pocket some few days gone by in the FA cup. Great prospect for the Arsenal
Pocketed Costa in his pocket? Pocket-ception!
We just need to start limiting the clear cut chances that we give teams every game. It’s not a sustainable way of playing.
Like the “just”
Holding has incredible potential. He will benefit from regular playing time. He needs time to improve his game but the fundamentals are there. If he is switched on 100% in every game I’m convinced he can have a brilliant Arsenal career. I remember Adams being called a donkey and he did quite OK in the end…