Arsenal: So where does this all leave Rob Holding?

Arsenal’s defense is riddled with questions, but among the throng of big-picture questions is a simple one – where does this all leave Rob Holding?

Arsenal will be looking to fix their defense first and foremost this summer. What exactly that entails is up for interpretation, but it surely means at least one signing, maybe more depending on how the new manager values the young centerbacks already at the club.

It’s clear that Calum Chambers is in good standing, and has proven himself well this year. To sell him short of being anything other than a Premier League-caliber defender is unfair and unjust. He is ready for the big time.

Konstantinos Mavropanos is on the rise as well, with fans rallying behind him. I’m pretty convinced that his emergence has negated the need to buy an extra centerback, as he can be just that, no additional investment needed.

And you can’t forget Shkodran Mustafi. Still young himself, Mustafi could potentially be sold this summer. Again, we don’t know until the new manager comes. But assuming he stays, there is still tremendous value to be found in him if the mental lapses can be ironed out.

Then there is the man that gets kind of stuck in this mess – Rob Holding.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

Rob Holding was Konstantinos Mavropanos two years before there was a Konstantinos Mavropanos. He had the potential and the pedigree and he hit the ground running. But then he fell off the pace and now, with a “new, Greek Rob Holding” in Mavropanos stepping into the fray and seemingly stepping in front of the original, English Holding, where does that leave our tenacious 22-year old defender?

It’s tough to say. He was on equal standing as Calum Chambers not that long ago, but given how the starting XI has looked over the past few months, Chambers has clearly (and deservedly) risen above.

But it’s now looking like Mavropanos has as well. Just 22, Holding fits right in between Chambers and Mavropanos and, as we saw in the FA Cup Final, he has some fantastic ability. Not just physically, but mentally.

Amazingly, there seems to be a bit of a premium for space on this defense as the club tries to figure out where to go from here. Hopefully that involves opportunities for Holding, because he is regretfully getting lost in the shuffle a bit.

Next: Arsenal vs Burnley Player Ratings

Anyone that can drive Diego Costa into the ground deserves serious consideration. Holding has not had many opportunities this season, but what opportunities he has had have been skewing towards the positive side of things. So get him back out there, however you can.

Home/Arsenal News