After 293 days without playing a first team game, Rob Holding made his comeback in the 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest last night.
The 24 year old didn’t have a lot to do defensively as the Gunners dominated the game, but not only did he come through it unscathed, he notched a goal and found himself wearing the captain’s armband, much to his delight.
With the team 1-0 up against the Championship side, he nodded home Reiss Nelson’s corner to double the lead and open up the floodgates in the final 20 minutes.
As you’d expect, he was pleased with his night’s work after a long struggle through rehab and recuperation from an ACL injury.
“It’s been a long process and there’s been lot of long days in the gym with me and Hector, but I couldn’t have written it any better myself to make that comeback,” he said.
“The way it panned out was just brilliant. When I got told I was vice captain I was over the moon, so when Mesut came off and passed the armband over I was so happy.
“Then it went perfectly again, Reiss put a great ball in and I managed to get my head on it.”
Holding also took time to give some props to teammate Hector Bellerin who was making his comeback from the cruciate injury he picked up against Chelsea in January.
“Yeah, he comes on straight away, has a touch and shot that ricocheted out and then he slides in for the assist,” said Holding.
“He’ll be over the moon with that and I think Calum Chambers had three assists? He’s playing really well at the moment.
“The young lads that are coming through like Bukayo, Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock have performed at a top, top level too.”
There was a lot to like about last night. Players coming back from injury with a bang, great performances from some young players, and a fine debut from Kieran Tierney. Check out the player ratings below.
He is definitely better than Canavaro. Welcome back son
With this type of performance from Rob and Chambers, I will be very shocked if Sokratis and Luiz keep being selected by Emery
Granit Xhaka says hi!
be ready to be shocked then
?
Sokratis has more rope than David. The Brazilian has been shocking.
Ah hahahahahahaha
You presume that Emery knows what he’s doing.
I am thrilled he is back, but he didn’t have much defending to do last night. Not sure he is ready for 90 minutes against a big team (or Manchester United).
Welcome back lad!
Like a few new signings!
I can live with holding being my Captain, him and Auba or Lacazette Captain and deputy, either way i am fine with it.
First there is a good chance of Them being in a starting eleven and they are well liked. Not the five Captain crap, that just doesn’t work, it will be like a participation trophy ever one gets it so no one actually win or lose.
Participating. Damn autocorrect.
You were right the first time. It’s usually referred to as a participation trophy!
Really! Ooh Man.! That’s the problem with over thinking things, ooh well.
Welcome back Holdini, you’ve been missed. We are all happy to have you back with us.
PS. Lately I have been scrolling through Sp*rs instagram account just to read all the butthurt comments. Hahaha, it really makes my day! Colchester, I like you.
Me too! better yet go to the official Colchester instagram account and see spud fans harassing them about how many goals they might score, incredible xD
Arsenal as a club is on the cusp of something special. An exciting team that will have a huge say at home and in Europe is gradually emerging.
We have had false dawns before, but this looks and feels different.
Leno, Emi, Bellerin, Chambers, Holding, Saliba, Tierney, Torreira, Willock, Guendouzi, Burton, Saka, Nelson, Martinelli, Nketiah, Pepe, ESR, all yet to hit their prime, there is a mouth watering possibility on the horizon!
I wonder what a Guardiolasque management could make out this unreal assemblage of talents.
Thank God we’ve got Freddy.
I am okay with Unai…as a stopgap.
I need to find someone who looks at me the way hector looks at holding. ?
Tierney is our own Robbo. Impressive
He is pure class. Biggest loss to the Arse last season, him and Hector.
They are fucking back!!!
Ps, 2 million for Holding
82 million ( approx) for Maguire………… sometimes you gotta love Arsene?
Just a question on Chambers. Only one match to really go on – the Newcastle game, but I thought he was a mature and professional influence at (Right) CB. Take aside the assist and goal at the weekend (i.e. not really what he is supposed to be for), is it really unthinkable that he would challenge (presumably Sokratis) for that position?
It was against forest (I know! I know!). What I liked about yesterday was the defensive performance. People were actually playing positionally sound defense (shocker). Midfielders tracked the runs. We played a true DM in his natural position. I couldn’t ask for more. The manager needs to play the right players, period
When you have pace you can actually get to where you are meant to be…when like Xhaka you don’t you can’t unless you can bend the time/space continuum. Xhaka isn’t tracking Pogba when Pogba decides to go past him….simple.
For the love of god please start him in the prem!!
The next generation look ready! So good to see.
Armband looks better on him, than it does on Xhaka!