I’ve always had a lot of time for Rob Holding. Even when he was making mistakes, looking very shaky as part of Arsenal’s chaotic defence, I always thought he carried the potential to do very well.
Some bad injuries, of course, didn’t help his cause, especially the anterior cruciate ligament rupture sustained two and a half years ago. Long periods on the sidelines denied the centre-half continuity and meant he came back into the team searching for fitness, form and also confidence.
It’s no different now, to be honest. After three months off, everyone is trying to get back to their best. And, fortunately for Holding, he’s one of them; hungry and ready to try and impress Mikel Arteta.
I’m sure he did that last night in the win at Southampton. With Arsenal forced on to the back foot in the second half, the 24-year-old stood firm by showing that precious ability to simply get in the way, whether that meant heading away crosses or smelling danger to clear his lines.
That kind of stubborn resilience might be needed on Sunday, when Sheffield United will throw everything at trying to reach the FA Cup semi-finals. How many times over recent years have the Gunners gone to somewhere like Bramall Lane and got bullied and battered in a sad defeat? Holding has it in him to stand up to that barrage. I just hope he stays fit to realise a potential always lurking within.
