Arsenal defender Rob Holding signs a new, long-term contract at the Emirates after fighting his way back into the plans of Mikel Arteta after a serious knee injury
- Rob Holding has pledged his fate to Arsenal by signing a new contract
- The defender has fought back from the knee injury he sustained in 2018
- Holding has made 18 appearances for Mikel Arteta’s side this season
Rob Holding has promised the future of Arsenal by signing a new, long-term contract with the club.
Sportsmail revealed on January 1 that Holding was set to block Mikel Arteta’s team after making his way back into the Spaniard’s plans this season.
The defender almost joined Newcastle United on loan in August but Arteta halted the move. Holding has since made 18 appearances in all competitions and has started the last 11 Premier League games.
Rob Holding has pledged his future to Arsenal by signing a new, long-term contract
The 25-year-old, who joined Arsenal from Bolton in 2016, had to fight back from a serious knee injury he sustained in 2018.
The defender fractured his anterior cruciate ligament and spent nine months on the sidelines.
Holding was a regular starter during last season’s Restart Project and helped the Gunners lift their 14th FA Cup.
Holding was close to joining Newcastle on loan before Mikel Arteta halted the transfer
His agreement was expected to expire in 2023 and the coming summer of Gabriel and Pablo Mari threatened to push the facility back down the packing order. A loan move to the Magpies was nearing completion before Arteta joined.
The Spaniard wants to cut his squad in bloom but sees Holding as a key part of his long-term plans, even rewarding him with the captain’s armor for the game against Everton in December.
The manager recently praised Holding’s recovery, saying: ‘It was almost a year ago when he returned from injury. He had a time when he didn’t play.
The defender has stood out in recent victories over Chelsea, Brighton and West Brom
‘When you compare how it’s grown from there so far, in a year’s time, it’s unbelievable.
It depends on how professional he is, what he wants to learn, what he puts into each training session and then his character and personality. ‘
The defender has stood out in recent victories over Chelsea, Brighton and West Brom, with Arsenal conceding just one goal over the last three games.
The Gunners are now just six points off fourth place and secured their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday with a further win over Newcastle.
