2 – Holding The Back-Line
If you’ve been an Arsenal fan for as long as me, then you’ll know you never usually get to see new signings in action before the season begins.
This year though, Wenger has changed his policy slightly and bringing in players early in the summer has given us a chance to see what sort of impact the fresh faces could make.
And if there was any sign that the Gunners boss wanted to show off Rob Holding following his £25m move, then giving him every minute of game time in the US was a bold signal.
The former Bolton man showed us he can cope with the pressure of a big club, and in the space of just two weeks has given us a great insight into the role he could play this season.
If you’re looking for a way to make your debut, then Holding pretty much nailed it whilst playing against the MLS Allstars as Arsenal went on to be 2-1 winners.
Up against the likes of Kaka, Didier Drogba and Andrea Pirlo would usually faze most people who had just been playing Championship football, but not the 20-year-old.
He looked comfortable and in control, and that’s even more impressive when you consider the amount of changes that were made in that game, as well as being the new kid on the scene.
With Wenger keen to bring in an experienced cover for Per Mertesacker, the future of Holding is still in doubt and a loan spell could be on the cards if a signing is made.
However, the events of pre-season could be enough to leave Holding with a great chance to remain at the Emirates, with Calum Chambers and Krystian Bielik also on the back-up list.
There is now a great chance for Holding to push on and mark himself as an exciting prospect for Arsenal’s future, his game time may be limited to the first team but that will give him plenty of time to get used to the lower-level club style he’s grown up on.