Arsenal: Rob Holding quickly becoming greatest thing ever

Rob Holding was a man-child against Stoke, as he hastens his way to becoming the greatest thing to happen to Arsenal in years.

Arsenal was simply fantastic to watch at Stoke City, and without wanting to get too far ahead of myself, it felt like something new and improved. Something that we could actually get used to seeing.

And no one was better than the young man Rob Holding.

Everybody likes Rob Holding. I have not heard a single bad thing about him. That’s what happens when the bar is set so low from such a cheap transfer fee and in return, you get someone who is not at all a prospect, but instead a full-fledged, highly-intelligent Premier League defender. Absolute class, this man.

Not just that, but he seems to have everything. And the moment I start to doubt his ability to do any certain thing, he does it. We have always known he was composed and fantastic in the air, but I questioned his ability to maneuver. He seemed to enjoy absorbing pressure more than seeking out challenges.

Now, as a wide center back, he has had to maneuver and he gets forward well, just like Shkodran Mustafi, as if he was meant to be a roamer all along.

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So he checked that off of his list, but I questioned how tough he really was. Any Arsenal fan as at some point over the past decade wished that the club was tougher, so it crosses our minds any time a new player comes to the club.

Well, while I never root for injuries or dirty tackles from anyone or upon anyone, I was actually happy to see Rob Holding answer the rough and tumble style of Stoke City and respond with his own gritty, hugely illegal tackle.

And while the announcers were blathering about it being cheating, and inexcusable and worthy of a red card, I was over here smiling. No, it wasn’t a pleasing, pleasant tackle, it was gross and malicious and worthy of punishment, but it showed that Holding has a tough side that I can’t wait to see develop over the next decade or more, because that is how long he will be at Arsenal, being that infallible rock at the back.

Next: Arsenal vs Stoke City Player Ratings

This was the back three that has the most talent, and it really showed up. While the hand of Crouch did get the better of them, they showed some solid resiliency, which is fantastic to see given how flimsy they have looked at times this year. I can’t help but think that adding a Calum Chambers to the back three competition will only see things improve all the more.