Arsenal: Rob Holding’s Price Proving To Be Intangible

Arsenal’s need for a defender is still there, but youngster Rob Holding showed us something against Leicester. his price tag is a mere intangible.

Arsenal’s post match interviews are my absolute favorite, almost to the same extent as the actual game. Seriously, after the next Arsenal game don’t change the channel.

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Wenger usually comes to speak anywhere from a few minutes to fifteen minutes after the match is over.

The interview gives a raw analysis of what we just saw from the experienced hand that guides the match.

And Wenger isn’t one to disclose much information or jump at the opportunity to speak, but as these interviews are required by the league, he’s left with little choice.

I’ll take what I can get.

As of late, the interviews have been quite comical with Arsene trying to convince himself that there are no ‘excellent’ players on the market.

But the man with infinite wisdom can strike a fair point even as the hordes of fans attempt to devour him.

"“We have a whole team working on the strengthening of the team. I’m not the only one. Unfortunately, no-one speaks about the performance of Rob Holding. You should be happy; he is English and 20-years-old. I am sorry he didn’t cost £55million so he can’t be good.” –Arsene Wenger Post-Match Interview"

The comment seems to be a little sinister because Rob Holding isn’t a £55 million player, but then again only a handful of players on this planet are truly deserving of that kind of price tag.

And if we purchased Holding for £25m would Arsenal fans be more appeased? Would we have more respect for the transfer?

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Definitely.

Imagine a different price tag to the transfer; ‘Arsenal completes £25 million transfer for 20-year-old English international CB and former Bolton player of the season.’

How enamored would Arsenal fans be with this news? All I changed was the transfer fee; everything else is true.

We probably only paid the meager change that we did because Bolton was relegated at the end of the last campaign farther down the totem pole. Try buying the same exact mold of a player from another team in the top flight of the EPL.

The consensus would highlight the fact that Rob Holding was the player of the season for Bolton as a defender. I’d wager to say that’s far more difficult to do so as a defender than an offensive player. Defending isn’t as glamorous.

Holding’s an English youth international that’s been paired with Calum Chambers in the past for England. Chambers cost the club around £16 million.

In the time that Chambers has been at Arsenal, he’s been a fleeting ghost, incapable of holding down a starting job even after injuries to Mertesacker and Gabriel, and after Koscielny was given an extended break.

In the meantime, the £2.5 million transfer from League One side Bolton has been one of the few highlights in a bleak and uncertain stage in Arsenal’s 16/17 EPL campaign.

Holding has been in the thick of it. With Squawka reporting Holding having ‘won three tackles this season with a success rate of 50%. He has made two interceptions, ten clearances, and four blocks’.

You could immediately see the difference in Holding once he was paired with Koscielny.

Koscielny played the role of an excellent captain. Although quiet, he could often be seen relaying information to Holding. Either to step closer, fall back, resist, or track.

It’s the subtle, yet important teachings that one can only learn by experience, or given to you from those more experienced.

And with that guidance, Holding put in an excellent display at the back, one that would be more celebrated if his price tag matched his dominance against Leicester City.

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I didn’t see Vardy give the Arsenal backline anywhere near the same amount of trouble as was provided in the match-ups last season.

The mobile Holding provided a defensive shadow for Koscielny. As Koscielny contained Vardy, Holding had the pace, defensive tackle, and mind to be well-placed, regardless of Vardy’s plans.

Holding even held his own when being thrown into one-on-one vs. Vardy. Yes, in the second half as the game was being stretched, Vardy did get the best of Holding by sliding the ball between his legs, but when Arsenal was keeping their defensive shape, Holding was dominating those tackles.

Even more impressively, after winning a hard fought duel, Holding had the peace of mind to distribute the ball well under pressure; a key aspect that Wenger places a high emphasize on.

That type of ability shows experience beyond one’s age.

With Arsene Wenger is need of a response from his players, Holding put his qualities on display. He didn’t shy away from the challenge; diminish his responsibilities, or waiver.

We’ve been waiting for players like Walcott, the OX, and Wilshere to respond now for years; it’s taken Holding a few matches.

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What wouldn’t you pay for that?