Arsenal completed their third signing of the transfer window today, with defender Rob Holding joining from Bolton Wanderers.
The 20-year-old has already been allocated a first-team squad number- 16- suggesting that he will play some part in Arsene Wenger’s plans for the forthcoming campaign.
The England international is capable of performing effectively at centre-back or right-back and his arrival will inevitably have repercussions for some of the club’s other young defenders.
The signing of Holding will cause some questions to be asked regarded Calum Chambers’ status in the squad. Both players are quite similar in terms of the positions that they cover and there have been suggestions that Chambers could be loaned out.
If Mathieu Debuchy remains at the club as second-choice right-back and Holding is installed as fourth-choice centre-back then there will be little room for Chambers, which suggests that a temporary move away is the best option for the former Southampton player.
Krystian Bielik, meanwhile, may also find his chances of breaking into the first-team hindered a little by the acquisition of Holding. Bielik, who has been training with the senior squad during pre-season, has been deployed mainly at centre-back of late. With Holding joining, Bielik’s first-team involvement this season may be limited to cup competitions, especially as Arsenal now also have options in defensive midfield.
Julio Pleguezuelo arrived at Arsenal with quite a reputation from Barcelona in 2013 but he hasn’t been able to make the breakthrough as yet. The 19-year-old’s form has wavered a little recently and it appears that he too may need to go out on loan if he is to receive regular first-team game time at senior level.
As far as Holding is concerned, the prospect will be eager to make an impact during pre-season as he looks to demonstrate that he is ready to play in the first-team.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
I doubt hes ahead of Chambers.
Based on what?
His transfer fee.
The Alphabet?
Aren’t they both the U21 centre backs? If that’s the case surely we should keep them together? Debuchy will be gone, & what about Jenks?
If chambers goes on loan and gets regular playing time,it will be great for his development.
Meanwhile holding will be the 4th choice and learn the clubs style and culture.
I’m a great believer in Chambers. Hope he’s tied down to a long-term contract and then loaned out to a Prem. or Championship level club where he’ll get many many starts.
Not the centre half we needed (experienced and a REAL leader) but I have a good feeling about this kid. Hopefully he can show what he’s made of this season.
What about Jenkinson?
We are all confused Lol!
I would send Holding on loan to a championship side. Give him one more year of development before he gets thrust into the prem. Chambers needs a chance to shine.
So if Holding is pushed forward a bit then Holding will be holding, right?
I definitely wouldn’t keep debuchy as his heart isn’t at arsenal anymore and he won’t ever perform at 100% for us again. Why hinder the likes of chambers, bielik, jenkinson and holdings’ development for someone who is getting on and doesn’t even want to be at arsenal.
I’m not sure how long jenkinson is injured for though so I guess that makes all the difference on who should be sold/loaned out.
Can anyone here shed anymore light on jenkos’ injury?
Ivan indicated three signings at the supporters Q&A and that’s three now. One for now, two for the future that I’m hopeful about, but hopefully they’re still in the market for more.
What’s debuchy still doing at the club. Wengerrrrr, I want him sold now.
we may be having trouble finding a buyer. i wouldn’t want him after the hissy fit he threw last season, clearly not a team player. and i’m sure his wage demands/inflated ego rule out any teams not in a top division somewhere
Flog him off to China.
Turkey will be a no-go, given the current political environment.
Debuchy looked great until he dislocated his shoulder against the orcs (I think) and he always gave it his all. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t like his hissy fit either but he had been France’s 1st choice RB beforehand. Having not represented his country before at a major championship and with it being a home championship for him, I think we can forgive his panic of losing a lifelong dream. Imagine if you faced that prospect yourself? If he comes back and knuckles down with no tantrums, he can provide excellent cover and competition for Bellerin. I would personally… Read more »
Except…. Preceding his hissy fit was two spells of absolute crap. He was good before the injury but his timing and aggression were missing and he looked out of position every time he played… He was at santos levels of uncomfortableness.
If he can get a full preseason maybe he can get back to pre injury levels and actually challenge Bellerin or push him up to the park to rw.
Debuchy is a senior player that thrived in the league as was pointed out he had been great until the shoulder and had some bite. Bellerin is amazing but strange things are afoot with Pep around. No way we can get rid of Debuchy until Bellerin signs new contract! Someone mentioned Jenks, I wish it was different but I do not see him here. Chambers and Holding are long term look at GREAT center backs age 28-32. These pups just need to play.
See how he gets on with the under-16s. Then loan him back to the Bolton first team and lets see how he develops.
A decent striker next please Mr. Wenger.
Seeing as Bolton are in League One, I think if we were to loan him anywhere, it would be in a higher division. He is an international player after all.
He’ll spend at least 6 months with us to gel, to get him up to speed. Then maybe plan a loan move for him.
Kieron Gibbs please never leave us.
i Would’ve preferred an established centreback, but hey, the guy is rated and looks to have a good future.
Where this leaves us with Chambers i dunno? Chambers as back-up to Bellerin and we get rid of Mathieu DeBitchy?
I’d prefer for Chambers to get a full season under his belt, at Hull or Bournemouth or something.
Then some of you want an experience CB. Tell me how many good CB will be happily to be 3rd choice and sit and hardly play. This is a good signing and we have now Atleast 4 CB and RB cover. Happy days.
There’s no impact. We just lost Hayden. Our academy does not exactly concentrate on defensive potentials at the moment.
Chambers is naturally a Rback. (Soton)
Holding is added as a near term psopect which is great.
😉
Prospect that is. ..and that is what he is.