A loan move for Rob Holding to Leeds United is not in the player’s interest.
HITC Sport’s Graeme Bailey reported this week that Leeds United are one of the Championship clubs on alert over Arsenal defender Rob Holding.
Arsene Wenger is considering allowing Holding to go out on loan, with the young centre-back in need of regular football in order to accelerate his development.
Arsenal’s Rob Holding and David Ospina in action with
Yet letting Holding go out on loan to Leeds would be a bad move for the player, and a deal Arsenal should not sanction.
This is not a slight on Leeds as a club, who are flying in the Championship, and playing at Elland Road would be useful experience for the young defender, the problem is, he would struggle for chances.
Leeds United’s centre-back pairing of Pontus Jansson and Kyle Bartley is among the best in the Championship, with the two loanees becoming crowd favourites.
Leeds manager Garry Monk talks to Pontus Jansson
Behind them is Scottish international Liam Cooper, a former club captain, who deserves his opportunities when needed.
In emergency situations right-back Luke Ayling has proven he can step in, and it would not be a surprise to see head coach Garry Monk come up with yet another internal solution if required.
Leeds may be weighing up covering all their bases and getting an extra body in, so their promotion push is not derailed in case of an injury crisis, but for Arsenal there is little incentive that Holding be that player.
The former Bolton defender has gained valuable Premier League experience at Arsenal this season, even playing in the Champions League, and the Gunners’ options are thin themselves.
Letting him go to Leeds would be pointless for the player and for the Gunners, as Leeds quite simply do not need him.
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