With injury to Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Unai Emery drafted in Rob Holding in the center of the defence.
Arsenal were forced to substitute in Rob Holding for Sokratis against Everton last weekend, who suffered a dead leg in his late challenge to Theo Walcott and the England international came in to secure Arsenal’s defence pretty well.
Big shoes to fill, ain’t it? – Unai Emery used Sokratis for the Gunners in every league match until last week and the Greek international have come in from Borussia Dortmund to take over Arsenal’s defensive vows. Though, we know Sokratis Papastathopoulos has aggressive approach to his defensive duties, which is similar to Shkodran Mustafi, Unai Emery opted to go with a defensive duo of Sokratis and Mustafi. Many criticized the defensive pair focusing on the vulnerability they provide at the back line. But things have turned out well for this duo, as it started looking getting better.
Luckily, Sokratis won’t be out for a long time – his involvement is expected next week when Arsenal face Fulham. But, Rob Holding has made a case to stay, it will be tough to leave Holding out – especially after the performance he put up against Watford on Saturday.
Talking about Rob Holding – Arsenal were jagged to let Calum Chambers go out on loan and let Holding stay with the later struggling to find his feet and especially after the performance Chambers put in last season. It would have been a tough decision for Unai Emery – but the Spainard is proving his decision to back Rob Holding this season.
Rob recently revealed his chat with Unai Emery claiming that the former PSG head coach thinks Holding can nail down starting role at Arsenal and after the performances he has put up recently – it would be hard to bench him again.
