Arsenal’s season has been a rollercoaster ride and the importance of veteran defender Laurent Koscielny was highlighted by the two games against Bayern Munich, where the Gunners conceded eight goals without the Frenchman on the field.
Now 31, and turning 32 at the start of next season, Koscielny is in the twilight years of his career and Arsenal face a stern test to find an able replacement ready to succeed the influential defender at the core of their back-line.
Fortunately for Arsenal it seems that job is already done, with young Rob Holding excelling in his debut season at the Emirates Stadium and showing the potential to be a top-class defender in the coming years for the Gunners.
Arsene Wenger made headlines at the start of the season as he praised Holding’s performances following a victory over Leicester City, where he suggested that the media overlook his performances due to the fact he wasn’t an expensive addition.
Since then, Holding’s opportunities in the first-team have been limited but the switch to a three-man defence, as well as injury problems, have handed the former Bolton Wanderers ace his opening in the starting eleven.
In last night’s crucial victory over Southampton, where the Gunners’ win kept their hopes of clinching a top-four finish alive, Holding once again impressed for his defensive performance- adding to the solid displays he showed previously against the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City.
In the recent match where Holding was absent, a 2-0 North London derby defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal’s back-line looked significantly weaker and it appears that Holding’s future lies in the first-team amidst a three-man defence.
Next season, Arsenal could excel with Holding playing alongside Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi in the defence, with the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Kieran Gibbs providing width in the wing-back roles.
From there, Holding can stand-out as Koscielny’s successor, as the Frenchman edges closer to the finale of his career, and the England ace has the potential to lead Arsenal’s defence for the next decade- amidst a core that includes fellow youngsters Hector Bellerin and Calum Chambers.
Costing just £2.5m last summer, Holding has stood out as one of the best bargains during the past year and his importance to the squad will only continue to grow in the coming years. Whilst Arsenal are linked to top-class defensive recruits, Holding could save the Gunners money and allow the club to utilise their funds in other areas.
Holding still has a lot to learn but the early signs are significantly impressive and he could earn further experiences in the coming weeks, with Arsenal having three Premier League games left in their season before an FA Cup final showdown with Chelsea.
If the Gunners are to clinch the trophy at Wembley and secure Champions League football again next season, then Holding will certainly be crucial.