Arsenal defender Rob Holding has put pen-to-paper on a new long-term deal.
The club have confirmed the centre-back has signed a deal which will could keep him at the club until 2025 with an initial term of three years with the option of an extra year.
Holding has been a key part of Mikel Arteta 's plans, making 18 appearances across all competitions this season and impressing despite many having reservations about his presence early in the campaign.
The 25-year-old has had to be patient for an extended run in the first-team since his 2016 arrival from Bolton Wanderers, but he now appears to be an integral part of the Gunners ' plans and the new deal goes a long way to proving just that.
“Since I started as manager, I have been hugely impressed with Rob’s contribution to the club and the dressing room, on and off the pitch," said Arteta upon announcement of the deal on the club website.
"We are all very happy that Rob has signed a new contract, he is very popular with all the players and staff, and we’re looking forward to watching him continue to grow with us in the coming years.”
Arsenal fans agree with their boss and they have been reacting to the news on social media this afternoon. Here is what they have had to say.
It has been far from smooth sailing for Arsenal this season, but one thing they have got right is their defence, which is the joint-fourth best back-line in the league having only conceded 19 goals from 17 Premier League outings.
Holding has been central to that, only missing five of those games so far and what better motivation to kick on than improved terms and a long term deal.
