Arsenal Vs Brighton: 5 key players to watch – Resurrection

1. Rob Holding

It really was a nightmare evening for Arsenal’s centre-backs. It started when Sokratis missed out entirely due to injury. It continued into the match. Pablo Mari suffered an ankle injury midway through the first half. Then David Luiz does what he does best, conceding a criminal error, penalty and red card. And finally, Shkodran Mustafi went down hurt but continued to see out the match.

It leaves Arsenal with just two fit and available centre-backs: Mustafi and the now incumbent starter, Rob Holding, who was left out of the squad entirely and has played just three times since Arteta took over, only one of which was a start. Suddenly, Holding will be thrust into the starting XI. Can he deliver?

So far this season, when called upon, Holding has struggled. He has looked short of match fitness, slow on the turn, and lacking in confidence as he continues his recovery from last year’s ACL tear. Arteta has hardly used him as a result. Now, though, the Arsenal manager has no choice. It is up to Holding to step up.

Given the centre-back performance level for much of the season, Holding has a low bar to reach. Nevertheless, if he is not match-sharp, it will be a huge task to slot straight into the starting XI in a must-win match. Nevertheless, that is the position he is in, and Arsenal and Arteta are relying on him to respond.