Rob Holding looks like a man who is determined to prove himself at Arsenal.
Only a few weeks ago, it seemed like the English centre-back was set to leave North London after being deemed surplus to requirements.
Newcastle United and Leeds United had both been linked with moves for the 24-year-old, who joined Arsenal under Arsene Wenger in 2016.
But don’t rule out Holding yet.
The former Bolton prospect, who joined for £2 million, impressed in the opening-day win away to Fulham on Saturday afternoon, with him and new boy Gabriel dominating the Cottagers in central defence.
And now The Sun has reported that Holding has turned down the chance to join West Ham United in what would’ve been a £5 million loan deal.
The report claims that the big defender wants to ‘nail down’ regular football under Mikel Arteta with the Emirates Stadium club.
Good decision?
Potentially not, no.
Holding might’ve faced Fulham, but Arteta still has William Saliba in his ranks, not to mention injured trio Shkodran Mustafi, David Luiz and Pablo Mari.
When Arsenal have all their centre-backs fit – and they will eventually – then Holding is simply not going to play all that often and although you have to admire his appetite to fight for his future, it might be futile when Arteta has everybody available.
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