Central defender Rob Holding has the potential to become a “permanent feature” in Arsenal ’s side in the seasons to come, says Garth Crooks.
The 24-year-old has spent large chunks of his spell in North London sidelined with injuries but impressed during Wednesday night’s 2-1 win over Liverpool.
Holding joined the Gunners from Bolton in 2016 but has struggled to establish himself in the first-team prior to now, but Mikel Arteta may give him the opportunity to do so.
“It was a real battle royal between Rob Holding and Sadio Mane. From the moment a ball was kicked no quarter was given or asked between the two players,” Crooks said after selecting Holding in his Premier League Team of the Week for BBC Sport, in quotes cited by the Daily Star .
At first I thought Mane had the better of Holding but as the game wore on it was clear that the Arsenal defender was determined to come out on top and, in the end, he did.
“Mane was Liverpool's biggest threat on the night and all credit to Holding as he never shirked his responsibility even after the Liverpool striker put his side 1-0 up only a few minutes into the game.
“Holding has had his fair share of injuries this season but with a run of games he might find himself a permanent feature in the Arsenal defensive line-up.”
Gunners want Leipzig’s Upamecano
Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal to sign RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano to be a long-term defensive partner for William Saliba.
The details are outlined by a report in Bleacher Report, via the Express, which also outlines the difficulty involved in doing any deal.
The Frenchman - who has starred in Leipzig’s ascension both domestically and in Europe in recent years - has a £55million release clause, which is beyond Arsenal’s transfer budget.
Furthermore, Italian giants Milan are said to be monitoring the situation, meaning that the Gunners would need to spend significant time and resources trying to attract the player.
Guardiola ‘laughs out loud’ at Luiz criticism
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has said he ‘laughs out loud’ when pundits criticise Arsenal defender David Luiz.
Guardiola explained how the Brazilian defender ‘has an incredible mentality’ and he believes that the defensive mistakes are part of football.
Luiz has come in for a lot of criticism for displays this season - including the recent 3-0 loss at City - but has penned a new one-year deal at Arsenal.
“I have an incredible respect for him and for what he has done in his career," Guardiola said when asked about Luiz ahead of tonight’s FA Cup semi-final, in quotes carried by the Mirror .
“He is an exceptional player and has an incredible mentality and especially personality.
I laugh out loud when I hear the pundits. A lot of them were defenders and they believe they didn’t make one mistake in their career even though they played for 15 or 20 years.
“I like that Luiz still plays football and I’m pretty sure he’s going to make a lot of good actions, some more mistakes as that’s part of the game.
"But he does it with dignity. I’ve a lot of respect for him.”
READ ALSO: Arsenal vs Man City predicted line-ups: Team news ahead of FA Cup semi-final tonight
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