Rob Holding is enjoying his most consistent run of form for Arsenal since joining the club, and is hoping to receive a call up from Gareth Southgate.
Arsenal centre back Rob Holding has made a great start to the season under new manager Unai Emery, and is hoping his fine performances lead to an England Call up.
Holding joined the Gunners from Bolton Wanderers in 2016, and is now starting to realise his potential.
The 6 ft 2 centre back has made 12 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal this season, with seven of those coming in the league. In comparison, he only made 12 Premier League appearances throughout the whole of last season.
However, with the long term injury to Laurent Koscielny and inconsistency from the likes of Shkodran Mustafi, Emery has put his trust in the Englishman, and hasn’t been let down.
After a start to the season where Arsenal looked frightening going forward, but equally frightening at the back, Holding has added solidity and calmness to what was once a chaotic back-line.
Composed on the ball, and a good reader of the game, Holding is your archetypal modern day centre back, and finally looks to have permanently established himself in the starting lineup at the North London side.
He said: “I think this is my best run in an Arsenal shirt.
“Gareth Southgate has brought a refreshed feeling to England with a lot of young lads.
“If you’re playing well in the Premier League week in, week out, as we saw with Callum Wilson and Lewis Dunk, you’re going to get chances.
“You want to be a part of what they are creating at the moment.”
It is credit to Holding that he has been able to force his way back into the side.
After a positive start to life at the Emirates, mistakes and inconsistent form looked like it may derail his career for the Gunners.
However, Holding has clearly knuckled down over the summer and proven to Emery he can be trusted in the heart of defence for one of England’s biggest clubs.
If Holding continues his fine form, that international call up won’t be far away.
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