Arsenal: Rob Holding taking his chance already

Rob Holding was introduced for the injured Sokratis against Everton on Sunday. This is the young Arsenal defender’s chance to impress. He’s already taking it.

For a young player, oftentimes, your development depends on your mental preparation to take an opportunity when it arises. Players have to be patient to get the starts that they are so desperately pining for. And then, when those starts come, they must perform, impress, and not give up the spot.

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For many Arsenal prospects, it has been difficult to break into the starting XI and keep the position. Alex Iwobi, Calum Chambers, Ainsley Maitland-Niles. They have all been given opportunities to earn a starting role at the club thanks to injuries, suspensions or natural rotations. But, as of now, none are considered starting players.

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And now, another prospective starter has the opportunity to earn a more prominent role. Rob Holding replaced Sokratis Papastathopoulos midway through the first half of Sunday’s 2-0 win over Everton, with the Greek international limping off thanks to a knee problem. Holding started on Thursday night against FC Vorskla, is scheduled to start on Wednesday night against Brentford in the EFL Cup, and could now be in line to replace Sokratis in the Premier League. This is his chance. And so far, he is taking it.

Holding was very impressive against Vorskla, although the quality of the opposition must be taken into account, showing his usual calmness and composure in possession, as well as being attentive in his marking and positioning. And he then followed up that display with a very impressive showing against Everton on Sunday, entering the game from off the bench with Arsenal struggling to deal with the speed of their visitors, particularly in wide areas.

Holding provided a strange assurance that a young defender should not necessarily bring — Shkodran Mustafi, on who this is an indictment, should be the one to take the lead as the experienced defender in that situation. He was calm, aware, consistent, full of poise and precision in his play, rarely dragged out of position, progressive in his passing, and decisive in his defending when called upon.

This was the type of game that Holding could struggle in. Coming off the bench unaware of the pace of the game, vast spaces to defend, against an opposition with extremely quick attackers. That is a recipe for disaster for Holding. But he handled himself superbly throughout, illustrating an experience and understanding that is rare for his age.

It remains to be seen how long Sokratis will be sidelined for. As of writing, the news has not yet been publicised. But if Holding is now afforded a run of starts, he has the opportunity to put the pressure on both Sokratis and Mustafi. Unai Emery has no loyalty to either player. If Holding proves himself more effective, Emery will not be afraid to make the change. And so far, Holding has done very little wrong.

It has not been enough to suggest that Emery should already be thinking about dropping either Mustafi or Sokratis. But it’s a good start. Holding is taking his chance, and that is good for everyone.