Arsenal: 7 upcoming transfer sales that need to happen

3. Rob Holding

Is there scope for Rob Holding to stay on at Arsenal and perennially be a fourth choice central defender? Potentially, yes. But if the Gunners realise their goals and return to European action then there will have to be more assured defenders in the team who preferably know how to kick the football.

Backs against the walls stuff works fine for Holding. He’s a very serviceable low block defender. When it comes to dealing with matters going forward instead of things coming down from the sky or being flung in from the sides is where he comes up short.

Still tied down until 2024 with the option of extending that for a further 12 months, Arsenal have a homegrown central defender at a good age that would certainly be of interest to clubs across he country. He could fetch a decent fee.

If he were to leave in the coming summer window, which is preferred as he is clearly way off the quality of those ahead of him, then the best part is that he needn’t be replaced externally: William Saliba returns and Arsenal are better off than they were with a defender more suited to the system and tactical approach the manager wants.

Capable of putting in the occasional 8/10 and rarely dropping below a 6/10, there is wiggle room for improvement in this area. Holding is expendable.

Continued…