Arsenal mid-season awards: Hits and Flops

#2 Best: Rob Holding

Holding was superlative before his injury

The English central defender was signed from Bolton a few seasons back by Arsene Wenger. Yet, it was Unai Emery who finally unlocked his vast potential and made him a permanent fixture at the back.

With Koscielny out long term, Arsenal were left with Holding as their only natural left-sided centre-back. Hence, the latter was thrown right into the mix and he emerged from the rubble a better player.

After impressing in his opportunities, Holding slowly and surely became one of Arsenal’s first names on the team sheet.

An accomplished passer of the ball, the Englishman has looked mature this season and has considerably reduced the number of mistakes. While his raw talent was never in question, his displays this term have shown that he deserves a longer run in the Arsenal first-team.

Unfortunately, though, an untimely injury at Old Trafford ruled him out for the entirety of the season. Holding will not play a further role in Arsenal’s season yet was indispensable in the initial phases.

Thus, it has come as no surprise that the Gunners have just won a solitary league game since he went off injured. In a season where Arsenal’s defence has crumbled under the slightest bit of pressure, Holding certainly held fort better than anyone else.