Arsenal: Rob Holding delivering actual results at centerback

With Rob Holding starting at left center back, Arsenal are undefeated in all competitions and have conceded a lone goal in the Premier League.

Before a live ball was kicked, talk among Arsenal fans centered on finding a center back partner for Sokratis, with Shkodran Mustafi the consensus pick. Flash forward to mid-October, and it is Sokratis and Mustafi – job-sharing on the right. Funny old game, football.

In six appearances, Rob Holding has taken Gunners fans on a roller coaster ride. Even within games. Against Watford he was wrong-sided twice in the second half, by Success and Doucoure. The Success breakaway is still fresh in my mind. Doucoure headed over from close range. Such are the lows. But the highs? He was Man of the Match.

Does that not sum up the Arsenal season to-date? Between that painful Chelsea loss and winning comfortably at Craven Cottage, the Results vs Performances debate had one conclusion: Riding our Luck. I prefer “Winning Ugly.” Man of the Match Rob Holding appeared to agree in his post-game remarks:

"“It was a really competitive and physical game and we knew that coming in. We just had to stand up to the battle and late on I think they tired..”"

In his first league appearance, Holding came on in the 39th minute for Sokratis. In 51 minutes of action he produced 90 minutes’ worth of stats. Everton went right at him. The 2-0 score line was our first clean sheet of the season. It was our fifth consecutive win in all competitions. So it was telling that, yet again, questions centered on performances. After the match, Unai Emery issued a challenge:

"“It was important how Rob played and helped the team to find the performance to win against Everton… I want to look at him also with our best performance and for him to stay in first XI.”"

“Find the performance to win” and Rob Holding sound brilliant together.

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From “finding a partner for Sokratis” to “hold on, now” in eleven games. Thanks, in full, to Rob Holding delivering results in the back four. Whoever had that in the preseason pool needs to manage my fantasy squad.

Of course, we are talking about Arsenal Football Club: There were concerns against Watford. He took part in two soft goals, at home, against Vorskla.

My main concern with Rob Holding is in how he defines danger. He gets in passing lanes. He is able to intercept attacks in and around the box. But in tight quarters, such as sliding over to help, or when balls bounce, he is not hoofing these balls into the second tier. He is slapping them aside, often not even out of play. These “second ball” situations help teams sustain their attack – even if we gain possession, we are deep our own half and already under duress. This was particularly so in the first half against Fulham.

Maybe he is concerned about fouls and dives. Maybe he is being safe. Maybe this is how he is coached. In truth, Arsenal have only conceded one league goal since Rob Holding saw the field. So if my only complaint is that he needs to “hoof it clear” more often, the discussion about performances should be over: the new system is delivering results.

“Winning Ugly,” is just another way of saying, “Good Defense.”