Arsenal finally secured their first win of the season against Watford, a solid victory of 3-1 and the imminent arrival of two new signings has improved the overall atmosphere amongst the fans. Arsene Wenger has confirmed Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez are close to being announced officially and both the defender and the striker will slot straight into the squad.
The Gunners early summer signings Granit Xhaka and Rob Holding have already been given first-team chances and both the players impressed against Watford. Injuries to centre-backs Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista led to Wenger approaching Valencia for the German defender but Holding, who was signed for a mere price of £2 million, has made Wenger consider him as a regular starter alongside Laurent Koscielny.
Speaking to Standard Sport about the 20-year-old he said, “It was an outstanding performance [from Holding]. I’m happy that you noticed that.”
“It’s important that a player who comes from Bolton, comes to a club where he concedes four goals in the first game at home, he has to play under huge pressure at Leicester and today he performs the way he does. I think it’s not easy and it shows some great potential and I am convinced that he will give a fight to all the centre backs.”
In the match against Watford, Holding completed 100% of his passes in the first half and an overall accuracy of 90%. According to the Official Premier League website, he has a 100% tackle success in the three appearances he made in the league so far.
Rob Holding completed 100% of his 29 passes in the first half (@StatsZone Image) #Arsenal pic.twitter.com/JucSxx55xz
— EPL Stat Man (@EPLStatman) 27 August 2016
Holding’s rise in ranks has already led to Calum Chambers’ cut from the line-up, and it seems the England youth international will also compete with Mustafi for a position in the team.
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