Holding move to Newcastle stalls, Arteta could keep the Englishman at Arsenal
Rob Holding’s move to Newcastle on a season long loan is on hold, according to Sky Sports. The Gunners are reportedly unwilling to let the former Bolton Wanderers central defender leave the club at the moment.
Head coach Mikel Arteta has been impressed by Holding in preseason and could choose to keep him at the Emirates for the upcoming season, according to Adrian Kajumba of the Daily Mail.
Arsenal and Newcastle had held talks and were believed to be close to reaching a deal that would have seen the Englishman spend the 2020/21 campaign on loan at St James’ Park without an option to make the transfer permanent next year.
The Gunners were believed to be open to letting Holding temporarily leave the club as a result of their being well stocked in central defense with the recent arrivals of William Saliba, Gabriel and Pablo Mari in addition to David Luiz who signed a one year extension over two months ago.
The North London side also have Shkodran Mustafi, Sokratis and Chambers at their disposal. Kieran Tierney is another player who can play in central defense when required. Arsenal will listen to offers for Mustafi, Sokratis and Chambers this summer.
Holding stepped up after Mustafi’s injury in the semi final of the FA Cup last season and put in a good performance in the final against Chelsea. He was impressive again in Arsenal’s Community Shield victory over Liverpool. It seems that the 24 year old might have done enough to convince Arteta to include him in his plans for the new season.
