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Arsenal: Rob Holding Shows Transfer Difficulties
Rob Holding has stated that he will play right-back to get regular football at Arsenal, showing the fine transfer line that Arsene Wenger must tread.
The development of young players requires extreme bravery from the manager. In a results-driven business where clubs are put under intense pressure to achieve instant success, it is down to the manager to trust less experienced players to replicate the performances of the more established members of the squad. Thankfully for Arsenal, Arsene Wenger has been willing to be so.
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Where the real bravery must come in is in the transfer window. With fans baying for blood, managers must be willing to defy conventional wisdom and pace their belief in the quality of their young stars.
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One such player in the current squad is Rob Holding. When asked about his fairly limited game time so far this season, especially of late given the return of numerous key players from injury, Holding revealed that he will be willing to play even at right-back if that means that he can get on the pitch:
"“Centre-back is where I’m most comfortable But if the boss wants me to play right-back I’m more than happy to play there if he wants me to. Coaches have always said I’m nice and relaxed on the ball and they don’t want to take that away from me. We [Arsenal] need centre-backs to pass the ball out from the back and start the next attack. I like to play like that. I’d rather be a player like that. A player who plays the ball to midfield and get on the attack – rather than hoofing one down the channels.”"
That leads me to consider the transfer policy of this coming summer. Should Wenger, if he does indeed stay at the club, acquire an experienced, established defender to bolster his squad or should he back the natural qualities of Holding and give him more responsibility?
It is a difficult line to tread – the balance between signing experience and giving the room for youth to flourish – and Holding is now in a position where his development is dependent on the transfer decisions of his manager.
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The 20-year-old has looked mightily impressive when on the pitch and is deserving to be backed with a greater role in the future. He could well grow into a future anchor of the Arsenal back-four, he just needs Wenger to support him in his transfer dealings.