5 Arsenal youngsters who can become key players next season

#1 Rob Holding

Rob Holding only made 16 appearances last season

There’s an argument to be made that Rob Holding was one of Arsène Wenger’s best ever young signings. The Gunners snapped up the starlet for a minuscule £2 million back in 2016, something that could never happen in today’s ever-inflating market.

What’s amazing about Rob Holding is that even though he’s still only 23, he plays like a 32-year-old veteran. On the ball he’s calm and composed, rarely getting flustered when being hounded down by opposing attackers.

Off the ball, his positioning is calculated and astute, thus allowing him to make interceptions on a regular basis. It’s fair to say that the 22-year-old was a key fixture in Emery’s plans at the start of the season, due to his insistence on playing out from the back.

Next season, Rob Holding will compete for a starting XI spot as Emery looks for defensive replacements for the outgoing Shkodran Mustafi. And with a young Tony Adams at the back, Emery can finally deploy the possession football he wants.