Arsenal: 3 unexpected sales we may see this summer

1. Rob Holding

Under the radar of guys like Maitland-Niles disappearing, Rob Holding has done much of the same. He’s been featuring for the U23s as a 24-year-old in his fourth year at the club, and despite what he’s shown us already, he’s struggling now to be a clear and present part of Arsenal.

Again, I don’t want to see him sold. I want to see him given another chance. But if Arteta is going to be ruthless, and if he is going to hack away the dead weight to make more room for guys he will actually consider using, then Holding has to go.

It’s no secret that the lengthy injury did him in. He was doing tremendously before getting hurt and on his return, Calum Chambers proved better, Shkodran Mustafi and David Luiz are anchoring this defense and William Saliba is waiting at season’s end. Meanwhile, all of his appearances have been marred by mistakes.

But he still holds value. A value that will steadily deteriorate if we don’t act now. Arteta is smarter than to let that go on for too long. We are going to find out really quick as this season plays out what the plan with Holding is. If we don’t see him much, I wouldn’t expect to see him much, if ever again.