Rob Holding, Arsenal’s center-back, faces the risk of leaving the Emirates Stadium this summer, according to Dean Jones speaking to GIVEMESPORT. After William Saliba suffered an injury in the match against Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 in March, Holding replaced the French player in Arsenal’s starting lineup in recent weeks.
However, a decline in form and the inability to keep a clean sheet led Arteta to replace him with Jakub Kiwior, a gamble that paid off with Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Newcastle United over the weekend.
Jones believes that Holding hasn’t met the necessary standards in the race for the Premier League title. When asked if Holding is the most likely center-back to leave Arsenal this summer, Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “I’m sure there are some risks there.”
“We know Holding’s limitations, but he has made a great effort to try and improve his game this season. I think that should be appreciated.”
However, with Saliba returning to full fitness ahead of the upcoming season, Holding is at greater risk of being benched.
Journalist Charles Watts argues that Arsenal needs to offload center-back Rob Holding soon if they still have ambitions of competing for the championship. In the recent match against Manchester City, center-back Rob Holding couldn’t stop Erling Haaland. He pushed up too high and had to constantly race against the opposing attackers for speed.
Charles Watts believes Arsenal needs to get rid of Rob Holding soon: “If they want to reach higher levels, if they want to compete for titles, they cannot have Rob Holding in the lineup.”
“That’s not to undermine Holding. He is a good player for Arsenal and has done a lot of good things off the pitch, but it’s time for him to move on.”
“He was exposed by Erling Haaland at the Etihad, and it cannot be denied that his inclusion in the starting lineup was due to William Saliba’s injury, which also resulted in a significant decline in form for the whole team.”
“Holding’s shortcomings, especially within Arteta’s tactical system, are evident. His teammates are aware of that, and it has created concerns within Arsenal’s style of play,” concluded Watts.
