Rob Holding will undergo more tests in the next couple of days as Arsenal’s medical team look to ascertain the seriousness of the knee injury he sustained at Old Trafford.
The centre-back fell awkwardly following a challenge by Marcus Rashford on the touchline and required oxygen as he was stretched back to the dressing room.
It’s also been revealed that the club immediately transferred the player back to London rather than wait for the end of the game.
Unai Emery has already said he fears a ‘big’ injury after an initial consultation with his staff, but it remains to be seen whether we’re talking weeks, months or season-ending.
What’s definite, is that the defender, who has played 16 times this season, will miss Saturday’s game with Huddersfield.
The Holding update on Arsenal.com explains: “Left knee. Returned to London during match on Wednesday night. Will have further tests and assessments over the next 48 hours. Further updates will be communicated in due course.”
Aaron Ramsey, who picked up an ankle knock in last night’s 2-2 draw, is also a doubt for the weekend. It’s also not clear whether Mesut Ozil (back) and/or Nacho Monreal (right hamstring) will be available, both are ‘being assessed’ at the moment.
Laurent Koscielny has been pencilled in for a first team return against Qarabag in a week’s time, while Dinos Mavropanos and Danny Welbeck remain long-term absentees.
On a positive note, Granit Xhaka is available following his one-game suspension.
Have my fingers fully crossed for young Mr Holding.
He has been stepping up this season, deserves to get back playing soon.
Best of luck Rob with the recovery. I am certain you’ll still be better than Cannavaro on your return. What do we reckon on the pros & cons of the options? A) Recall Callum Chambers when window opens. He’s played last few games at DM for Fulham and has done well by all accounts. Although he wasn’t getting into Fulham’s team regularly at centre-half. B) Promote Pleguezuelo to the first team if Kos or Mavropanos isn’t fit to play. C) Use Monreal at centre-back. Would be left-footed centre-back we need to make us balanced. D) Buy someone from Dortmund or… Read more »
Thumbs up for D
I believe Kozzy will play if he comes through the Carrierbag game OK.
I guess you haven’t heard: Christopher Samba is a free agent right now 🙂
Yann N’villa can do a job at the back, surely
*M’Villa even
*M’Vila
Winston Reid would also be an option
Assuming chambers has a recall close in his loan, he should stay at fulham for the rest of the season in my opinion to get even more minutes under his belt and try to learn from Ranieri. We have Kos and Mavropanos coming back and can use Pleguezuelo more often in cup matches or other youngsters. But your point of Monreal capable of fitting at cb is true, we may even have Stephan and Elneny who can play at CB with 3 at the back.
Recall for chambers would be the smartest move. He should get plenty of game time and hes looked strong at center mid recently. I cant see us dipping hugely into the transfer war chest unless its maybe a Danny welbeck replacement. Some sort of striker/winger hybrid. I’m assuming Gouendouzi is probably our Ramsey replacement already for center mid. Could have played a key role in retracting our offer.
I really hope this is short term
Would be so harsh if he’s out long-term hes really been a positive part of our season. He’s kind of been first choice this season with the sokrates injury and playing 3 at the back and he’d done really well.
Now the number 9 curse is gone its been replaced by a new one:
Any manc to play for arsenal shall suffer bad injuries.
What’s the prognosis for Mavropanos? I didn’t realise his injury was that bad.
Please be a strain…. no torn ligaments please the footballing bergkamps
Those updates on the official site don’t often say much, do they?!?
I actually disagree; I think they have been pretty informative and accurate about anticipated returns. This one says nothing, because they don’t know anything yet.
Not regarding Holding but the Monreal situation is especially annoying. Also Mavropanos…
Would prefer some more details on the injuries etc. And it would be nice to read something different than “…being assessed before the match on…” blabla. Change it up, use some other words at least ?
Mavrapanos was expected back around this time .. Hopefully he will be available as well soon.
Sad news about Rob: he was having a great season. The good news is that:
1. Kos is almost fit.
2. We have some pretty easy PL games coming up.
3. The transfer window is only 25 days away.
Let’s go out there and buy. And let’s sort out our dreadful defending: we are the second highest scorers in the PL but have conceded 3 times as many goals as Liverpool. Not good enough.
i sort of agree. Not convinced about buying another CB in the winter window unless somebody truly spectacular comes on the market… perhaps better holding out (no pun intended) for the summer, offload whoever we see as expendable, and bring reinvest cash in a ‘world class’ centre back.
I’m thinking it’s maybe not as bad as first feared, as they’re waiting 2 days for further tests. However, I’m certainly no expert.
Don’t know why we sent Chambers on loan.
Mavropanos hardly proof of pudding.
Koscielny is a bonus if he is available this season.
Probably if in back 3, Lichsteiner is an option.
Maybe Monreal can also come in.
Elneny has played at Cback before so maybe him if we are really desperate.
I don’t see an external solution until these are put through consideration.