Arsenal: Has Rob Holding usurped Shkodran Mustafi and Gabriel Paulista?

Ian Wright has claimed that Rob Holding has usurped Shkodran Mustafi and Gabriel Paulista as a more assured defender. Is the former Arsenal striker correct?

The change in the Arsenal system that Arsene Wenger has implemented in recent weeks has undoubtedly a brought a greater defensive resilience to the side. Clean sheets against Leicester City and Manchester United, and improved defensive displays against Middlesbrough and Manchester City indicate this.

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The central defensive trio have been rotated by Wenger, with only Laurent Koscielny starting every game at the heart of the defence. Either side of him, Gabriel Paulista, Nacho Monreal and Rob Holding have all rotated in and out of the starting line-up.

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And of the trio, it is the latter that has impressed in his changing role. The 21-year-old was surprisingly dropped for the North London derby a little over a week ago, and with Shkodran Mustafi set to return to the squad in the coming days after overcoming a thigh injury, his starting berth could well be in doubt once again. But there are many who feel that he is deserving of a starting role, including Ian Wright, who rates him above the more experienced Mustafi and Gabriel:

"“For me, what I’ve seen of Rob Holding in a few games, he deserves a chance. I think the composure of him, the way he plays, watching him in a massive game against Manchester City in the semi-final. He can start that game but then he can’t start a game in the north London derby. He is more assured than Gabriel and I feel he is more assured for me than Mustafi if it was my opinion. I would have Holding.”"

While that may seem like a hasty judgement – Holding has played just a handful of games and Mustafi is still in his first season at the club, adjusting to new teammates in a new league – the initial signs do point to such a conclusion. Holding has been wonderfully assured when started recently, calm under pressure, comfortable on the ball and adept in one-on-one scenarios.

What is especially promising is that at just 21, he has room to grow and develop. Providing him with precious, high-pressure game time at such a young age is invaluable to his progression. Holding is learning with every appearance.

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And yet, I am tentative to suggest that Wenger will persist with Holding as a starting centre-half when Mustafi returns. The £35 million investment could well cloud his judgement, as does the lack of experience of Holding. But Holding deserves a run of starts in the first team. His performances vindicate that much.