Arsenal Reloaded: 3 players who need to get back to best

1 of 3

LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 02: Lucas Torreira of Arsenal celebrates after scoring during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on December 02, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

Arsenal Reloaded featured last season’s 4-2 North London Derby win over Spurs. The victory highlighted three players who performed excellently but now need to get back to their best.

This Wednesday afternoon, Arsenal Reloaded featured the Gunners’ 4-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in Unai Emery’s first North London Derby in charge. It was a riveting match in which Emery’s team played with passion, energy, intensity and real fervour. And at the heart of the excellent team performance were three individual performances from players who have since failed to live up to the heights, though not always through their own fault.

Listen to the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal podcast here! — Emergency Podcast: Nightmare

Here are three players who need to get back to their best.

LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 02: Rob Holding of Arsenal celebrates his sides 4-2 victory over Tottenham at full time of the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on December 2, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images) /

3. Rob Holding

It is easy to forget due to the extended injury absence following his torn ACL, which was suffered only five days after this victory, but Rob Holding was superb in the early months of Unai Emery’s tenure. The young defender played as a part of a back four or back five. He was used at the heart of the defence or in a wide centre-back role. He impressed no matter where Emery used him.

Sadly, since that time, Holding has hardly played. He missed the remainder of last season during rehabilitation from his ACL rupture and has made only nine appearances in all competitions this season, comprising only 654 minutes of action in total. He made just one start in the Premier League, a 2-0 defeat against Leicester City in which he struggled greatly.

Quite what the future holds for Holding remains to be seen. He is still to prove his fitness, almost 18 months later, and has made just one start under Mikel Arteta. For now, Holding has to get fit and then stay fit. Then he can start to think about rediscovering his form. But he certainly looks a long way from what he was in the early Emery period.

Home/Arsenal News