Rob Holding set to avoid Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal cull with 25-year-old defender ‘close to signing new long-term contract’, ending speculation of him leaving on loan this month
- Arsenal defender Rob Holding looks set to be rewarded with a long-term deal
- The 25-year-old, signed from Bolton in 2016, has been a key performer this year
- Holding is set to stay at the club and sign an extension on his current contract
- The centre back, who was linked with loan moves, has played 17 times this term
Arsenal are close to agreeing a new contract for centre back Rob Holding.
The 25-year old, who has one and a half years left on his current deal, saw Mikel Arteta block a loan move to Newcastle United in August and has established himself as a key figure in Arsenal’s squad.
Holding, who has made 17 appearances this season, had attracted interest elsewhere but will now remain at the club.
Arsenal defender Rob Holding is set so sign a new long-term contract at the club
Holding, signed from Bolton for £2m in 2016, has emerged as a first-team regular this season
Holding started, and caught the eye, in Arsenal’s recent consecutive victories over Chelsea and Brighton.
Mikel Arteta wants to trim his bloated squad in January with a number of defenders set to leave the club but Holding is someone he wants to keep around.
Mikel Arteta (left) has struggled to field a settled back four with Arsenal dogged by injuries and absences his season; Holding (right) looks set to be rewarded for impressing recently
Sead Kolasinac has already joined struggling Schalke on loan in the Bundesliga in Arsenal’s first departure this month.
Arsenal are also willing to sell Sokratis and Shkodran Mustafi while William Saliba is due to go out on loan with St Etienne keen.
