Mikel Arteta has decided to keep Rob Holding at Arsenal for the new Premier League season, following claims he could join Leicester or Newcastle, according to football.london.
Holding wants to help the Gunners move back up the standings and will play a key role under Arteta. The Spaniard has selected the centre-back to form part of his leadership group, alongside captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Kieran Tierney and Granit Xhaka are also likely to be among the several leaders in the first-team next term. Xhaka appeared set to leave the Emirates this summer, but a move to Roma collapsed, per the Evening Standard, as Jose Mourinho’s side would not pay £20m.
Holding then emerged as an option for Newcastle or Leicester ahead of the new campaign, but will not leave Arsenal. He is focused on recovering from an injury and will look to build on his performances from last term.
There was a high probability that Holding would leave Arsenal this summer, despite signing a new long-term contract in January. The Times reported in June that Arteta was likely to make the 25-year-old available for a move with Ben White joining from Brighton for £50m.
Arteta also has Pablo Mari, Gabriel Magalhaes and Calum Chambers to hand at centre-half, leaving Holding potentially in the cold. Mari partnered White for Sunday’s pre-season clash with Tottenham, with Arteta later confirming, via football.london, that Holding was unfit.
Holding to build on strong 2020/21 at Arsenal?
Arteta will want to see Holding build on his strong 2020/21 term at Arsenal, having decided against selling the defender. He established a key role in north London under the Spaniard last season, with 28 starts over 30 Premier League appearances, plus nine cup outings.
The former England U21 international also captained the Gunners on four occasions across all competitions, including for three top-flight fixtures. Sol Campbell additionally hailed the Arsenal defender as ‘fantastic’ on Stadium Astro after Holding signed his new contract.
But Holding still has work to do at the Emirates, after frustrating Arteta during Arsenal’s pre-season loss to Chelsea. The Stalybridge-born enforcer’s attempt at a high press backfired, allowing Timo Werner space to find Kai Havertz to score.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
