Arsenal have confirmed that Rob Holding is now back in full training and could be in contention to face Watford this weekend.
The 23-year-old has not played a first-team game since he injured his knee in the 2-2 draw against Manchester United in December last year, and he has had to work hard to get back to full fitness.
Supporters on Twitter are very happy to see that Holding is ready to make his comeback, with many keen on him coming straight back into the starting eleven:
Start him and make him captain!
— Abed. (@AKaissi94) 11 September 2019
Like a new signing!
— M1Ö ??? (@MesutOzilClass) 11 September 2019
Good news
— TheArsenalfamily (@GonnersHq) 11 September 2019
Holding back pic.twitter.com/nqCRW8SB81
— riley (@Riley_Jay_2002) 11 September 2019
Holdini back in training you love to see it? pic.twitter.com/wcJE9C6lHL
— Ewan W ??????? (@EwanW0304) 11 September 2019
Dont hold him back
— عمر فاروق (@umar_lps09) 11 September 2019
Finally!
— P.A.L.?⚪ (@dollypinki) 11 September 2019
Excited to see holding back ??
— afc14 (@afc1413) 11 September 2019
Wow that's amazing because we really miss him so much he's our best defender before he went to injury but thank God he's ? ?
— Livinus shalom (@livinus_shalom) 11 September 2019
HOLDINI IS BACK
— Sully (@Sully1700) 11 September 2019
After nine months out, it is unrealistic to expect the centre-back to be selected right away. Although he has featured for the Under 23s, he will need to get his match sharpness back.
While the Watford game may not be suitable for Holding’s return, the Europa League match against Eintracht Frankfurt or the Carabao Cup versus Nottingham Forest later this month are more realistic possibilities.