Arsenal: Rob Holding returning at just the right time

This week, Arsenal centre-back Rob Holding returned to first-team training. Given the upcoming run of fixtures, his return at just the right time.

This time last year, prospects were really looking up for one Rob Holding. With Laurent Koscielny still absent through injury and Shkodran Mustafi struggling for form, Unai Emery was frequently turning to the former Bolton defender to anchor the Arsenal defence. And Holding was returning his trust with some excellent performances.

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But then, in early December, it all came crashing down. After slipping on the turf skirting the Old Trafford pitch and being stretchered off, it was later confirmed what everyone feared: Holding had torn his ACL.

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The injury was equally disastrous for him and the team. Holding was becoming a fixture in the Arsenal defence, Emery a fan of his robust, throwback nature allied with terrific composure in possession, while also beginning to show signs that he was ready to take on a new level of responsibility, seen more as a senior contributor, not just a future prospect. The dreaded ACL tear ended all of this.

Holding is yet to feature for the first team since the 2-2 draw in Manchester. But this week, there was some extremely welcome news. The now 23-year-old, after almost a year in rehab, returned to full training. It is still unlikely that he will feature against Watford at the weekend, but the fact that he is physically capable to train as a normal, first-team player is a major step in the right direction, a true milestone on his road to recovery.

And his return comes at the perfect time. With David Luiz and Sokratis the obvious starters in the Premier League, Emery does not need Holding to start in crucial matches from the off. Holding can be eased in slowly, at a pace that his body is comfortable with, which is essential after such an extended absence.

However, depth at the centre-back position is worrying. Calum Chambers is the only fit senior reserve. He is capable of filling in here and there, but as the Europa League starts next week, Emery would surely like to rotate throughout his squad a little more. He would not be able to do that with just three fit centre-backs.

The Europa League offers the perfect opportunity for both Holding and Emery: Holding will be handed starting opportunities in matches that Arsenal should have the quality to win with relative ease, thus preparing him for Premier League action when required; Emery has the chance to rotate through his squad and rest both Sokratis and Luiz, who could play a lot of matches this season.

The Holding return must be managed carefully. Throwing him back into the fire helps no one. So his return to fitness just as the Europa League gets going is ideal timing, for both Holding and Arsenal.