Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

Arsenal: Complete 2018/19 season player ratings

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 01: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal (L) celebrates after scoring his team's second goal with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on April 01, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 01: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal (L) celebrates after scoring his team's second goal with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on April 01, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Rob Holding
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 05: Rob Holding of Arsenal receives medical treatment during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal FC at Old Trafford on December 5, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

Rob Holding – 6.5

In the summer, it was unsure where Rob Holding would fit into Emery’s thinking. Sokratis had just been signed to be a starter, Calum Chambers was handed a new long-term deal, and Dinos Mavropanos was largely viewed as the next great talent at the centre-back position. Very quickly, though, it became clear that Holding was highly thought of by his new manager.

Holding would go on to make nine Premier League starts. That is the most of his Arsenal career, playing in nearly as many league minute as Lichtsteiner. He was a key part of the back four and back five set-ups and started to blossom as a leading centre-half, displacing Mustafi, taking advantage of Koscielny and Mavropanos’ extended absences.

But then it all came crashing down. A torn ACL in early December against Manchester United, slipping on the turf by the side of the pitch. Holding’s season was over just as it was getting going. Nevertheless, there were plenty of positive signs to build on next year.