Arsenal: The crucial Rob Holding distribution difference

Arsenal have struggled to play out from the back when pressed high up the pitch. Here is how Rob Holding and his distribution can make the difference.

It has been a major issue for Arsenal for some time now. As opposing teams have become smarter in their structures and positioning, the Gunners have failed to grow with the modern game and adapt. And this has led to one fairly obvious consequence: the inability to play out from the back.

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There are many reasons for wanting to play out from deep areas. Chief among them is the control that it allows you to have — or perhaps more poignantly, if you are unable to play out from the back, you cede control to the opposition, and this leads to a building pressure that is extremely difficult to repel.

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It would be too simple to highlight just one or two players as the culprits for Arsenal’s struggles in this department. There is much more than goes into it than just whoever passed the ball. That said, one thing that every team that proficiently plays out from the back possesses is players that are extremely capable on the ball, comfortable to receive it under pressure from opponents and having the skill and quality to make accurate and forward passes, often without taking a touch to control the ball.

This is especially true at centre-back. This is the position that is most likely to feature a player who is not so proficient in possession. And Arsenal are currently struggling at the centre-back position in possession. And not just that, they have one waiting in the wings who is extremely comfortable with the ball at his feet. Rob Holding might just transform this defence, but not because of his defending but his passing instead.

One way to break out of the high press is to play more directly, but to do so accurately, not just with aimless clearances. Arsenal have played 25.4 accurate long passes per game this season. That is the 12 most per game in the Premier League. Meanwhile, they have played 27.3 inaccurate long passes per game. They may seem like fairly empty numbers, but let me provide this for context: Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Spurs and Everton are the only teams that have more accurate long passes per game than inaccurate ones. That is no coincidence.

Specifically, both David Luiz and Sokratis have been culprits of poor long distribution. Luiz averaged 5.1 inaccurate long passes per 90 minutes. Sokratis, meanwhile, is at 3.8 per 90 minutes. Both play more inaccurate long passes than accurate ones. Now, Luiz does push the envelope with his passing and his inaccurate passes are a little more palatable. But Sokratis absolutely does not. So why is he turning over possession so frequently?

Holding, on the other hand, in the short sample size of his performances this year plays in stark contrast to this. From the lone Europa League match against Standard Liege in comparison to the Premier League statistics, Holding’s pass completion is 8% higher than Sokratis’. He played just three long balls in total, instead, focusing on short passes, playing out from the back as Unai Emery demands.

And these statistics, while vastly difficult to draw meaningful conclusions given the sample size and the quality of the opposition, comply with the eye test. Holding is a very good passer of the ball. He is comfortable in possession. He has a good touch, is composed under pressure and skilful in his delivery of passes.

Holding’s long-anticipated return to the XI, then, could be the vital change that Arsenal have needed in their distribution. God knows they need it because it has been a long time coming.