Holding reportedly signs new contract with Arsenal

Rob Holding has reportedly signed a new contract with Arsenal, according to David Ornstein of The Athletic. 

The 25-year-old was unsure of his future at the club in the summer and was linked with a loan move to Newcastle United. It is understood that manager Mikel Arteta intervened at the last minute and blocked the transfer as he believed the player could be an asset in his team. This season, Holding has featured heavily for the Gunners and has made 18 appearances in all competitions.

The former Bolton Wanderers defender is rated as an emerging leader in the dressing room by the Arsenal hierarchy. He had a deal that expired in 2023 but it is believed that his new contract will keep him in North London until 2025. 

The Englishman has put in a series of impressive displays for the Gunners and has helped the North London side keep two back to back clean sheets in the Premier League in their victories over Brighton and West Brom. In recent games, he has forged a good partnership with Pablo Mari and Arsenal have looked secure at the back. 

With Sokratis, David Luiz and Shkodran Mustafi set to be free agents in the summer, the Gunners were keen to tie down Holding to a long term contract and ensure that he is a part of Arteta’s long term project at the club. It is understood that Holding’s new deal runs to 2024 with the option for a further 12 months. It is expected that the new contract will be announced in the coming days. 

Mikel Arteta confirmed that a new contract for the player is close to being completed. On being asked about whether Holding had signed a new deal, he said:

“It’s something that we will announce as quickly as we can, but it looks like it.”