Arsenal vs Chelsea: 5 key players in crucial FA Cup Final

3. Rob Holding

The No. 1 thing making me nervous about this match is the defense. Honestly, not having Shkodran Mustafi hurts way more than I could have ever imagined. I like Rob Holding, I really appreciate who he is as a player. Especially with his adopted brutishness that I’ve been enjoying far too much lately.

But he’s still struggled a bit in that back three. He’s not as mobile as Mustafi. He’s not as good with the ball. So when he tries to be, it leads to problems.

Holding is a defensive defender. He’s best suited in a simple role like in a back four centerback pairing. I highly doubt Arteta will give him that luxury. He is going to be asked to play as the right-sided centerback in a back three, where he’s got about a 50% success rate.

That’s still a high enough success rate that I feel decently confident, but again—I need to see it happen.

Not to mention he is crucial for the aerial war.

Let’s stay on topic with No. 2.