Rob Holding and Bernd Leno infuriated Mikel Arteta during Arsenal’s pre-season friendly defeat to Chelsea with their decision making and passing, according to football.london.
Arsenal hosted Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday for a pre-season friendly as part of The Mind Series. The defeat continued a difficult run for the Gunners ahead of their Premier League curtain-raiser at Brentford on August 13.
Arsenal lost to Hibernian and drew with Rangers and have another tough test this Sunday at rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Arteta will hope for better performances from Leno and Holding when they travel across north London, with both potentially in line to start against the Bees.
Holding will have to show Arteta that he can improve his decision making if he is to start for Arsenal at Brentford, though. The former Bolton centre-back enraged his manager on Sunday after deciding to try and press Chelsea high up the pitch.
But in attempting to close Hakim Ziyech down, Holding left Timo Werner with acres of space to exploit. Arteta desperately shouted “Rob!” to urge the defender to backtrack, however it was too late. Werner was left free to run and set Kai Havertz up to score.
On a day that £50m signing Ben White frequently shone and delivered a goal line block on Ziyech, Holding had to be at the top of his game. But the 25-year-old was not alone in frustrating Arteta, as Leno also enraged the Arsenal boss.
Arteta angrily yelled at Leno and gestured his displeasure at the Arsenal goalkeeper’s slack passing that afforded Ziyech his chance. The German shot-stopper played the ball long rather than out from the back, but his kick only headed straight out.
Leno and Holding must show Arteta instant response in next Arsenal friendly
Arteta will want instant responses from Leno and Holding if they are to start for Arsenal at Brentford. Holding faces the greater challenge for his position of the two, with Leno the outright first-choice. But time remains for a new goalkeeper – like Aaron Ramsdale – to join.
Arteta was rightly frustrated with Holding for his rash decision to close Ziyech and leave Werner free. The centre-back featured frequently and became a key part of his backline last season. He started 28 of his 30 Premier League outings and captained the side three times.
Holding, who joined Arsenal from Bolton for £2m in 2016, also earned a three-year contract in January. After which Technical Director Edu lauded the former England U21 international, via the Gunners’ club website. “He is 25-years-old, so is still coming into the peak of his career, and we are delighted that he’ll be with us during these important years.
“Rob has shown great quality and maturity on and off the pitch in recent months and is developing well. We are looking forward to Rob continuing his progression in the years to come.”
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