Arsenal: Rob Holding still has long way to go for England

Rob Holding has stated that he hopes his form will gain him an England call-up. While he has played well for Arsenal recently, he still has a long way to go to earn an international cap.

Rob Holding is enjoying the best season of his career. The centre-half, who beat out Calum Chambers in the summer as Unai Emery’s third-choice central defender, has forged his way into the starting XI with Sokratis suffering from various niggling injuries. And he has played well in the opportunities handed to him.

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Holding, at 23, entered the year needing to establish himself and his career in north London. Although he could still largely be considered a young prospect, the time had come for Holding to now be considered as a regular first-team player, not just potential for the future.

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And Holding, speaking with Sky Sports ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon, admitted that he believes this is his best run since signing for the Gunners in 2017. He also stated of his desire to get another England call-up off the back of his performances.

"“I think this is my best run in an Arsenal shirt. Consistency-wise, it’s been 12 games consistently playing to a good level, not playing because someone is injured but on merit. That gives you more confidence. Gareth Southgate has brought a refreshed feeling to England with a lot of young lads <…> You want to be a part of what they are creating at the moment. Obviously what they did at the World Cup and there is the Euros in over a year’s time. It’s a great time to be involved with England so why wouldn’t you want to be.”"

Holding is indeed in the best form of his career. He is playing with confidence, assurance and consistency, only once or twice exposed with his lack of athleticism against the counter-attack. But the brief impressive performances that he has put in are not really enough to thrust him into the England picture.

Has Holding really put together a deep enough body of work to command a place in the national squad? It would be a reach to suggest that he must have an England call-up this season — I understand that that is not what Holding is saying he is deserving of, but it still lays out the point: there is much work to be done.

Holding has not proved his consistency over an extended period. He has also not yet shown his response from a harrowing mistake. How would he react in the next match, mentally? Moreover, he has only played in one big match, the 1-1 draw against Liverpool in which he was excellent. It would be nice to see him perform in one or two high-profile contests, against top-tier strikeforces, before he is considered for England.

This is not to demean Holding’s play. And it is not to say that he cannot work his way into the England squad. Rather, it is a warning that he does not grow complacent and get ahead of himself, all because of one good run of form. There is still a long way to go. I hope he recognises that.