Rob Holding delivers top defensive display vs Crystal Palace
|Arsenal defender Rob Holding delivered a top defensive performance during the club’s 4-1 Premier League win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The 27-year-old made his first start of the league campaign against the Eagles after William Saliba was ruled out of the derby with a back injury.
Holding stepped up in his absence with a brilliant showing and he deserves plenty of praise, in our opinion.
The centre-back won an impressive four ground and seven aerial duels. He also registered two tackles and five clearances, completing 91% of his passes (64/70).
Holding has not been known for his long distribution over the years, but he was superb against the Eagles as he completed all five of his long balls.
The former Bolton graduate has received his fair share of criticism from fans over the years, but one can’t deny that he has been a top squad player.
Prior to the Palace game, he played just 13 minutes of league football this season, but Holding showed no signs of rustiness as he went with his job.
It will be interesting to see whether Holding will keep his place after the international break.
Manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that William Saliba will be assessed by the medical staff but L’Equiope claim that he is out for ‘several weeks‘.
Saliba has been hugely instrumental in the club’s push for the Premier League title, but Arteta will not want to rush him back to action next month.
In our view, Holding could partner Gabriel Magalhaes for the Leeds United game on April 1. Saliba could make his comeback against Liverpool eight days later.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com and Sofascore.com