Olivier Giroud will take the headlines from the BATE Borisov match, but Rob Holding made his own little piece of history yesterday evening.
Heading to the Borisov Arena for last night’s Europa League tie, a brace from Theo Walcott was added to by Holding and Giroud and it was the 22 year old’s first goal in Arsenal’s shirt and only his second of his professional career.
Speaking to the Official Site as he met with the media following the game, Holding was obviously delighted to open his club account and play his part in helping us to victory.
‘It`s a proud moment to score my first competitive goal. I got one against Chivas last year on the tour, so to get my first competitive one I`m over the moon and the celebration showed it. I just went round the back post. Per got the flick on and it just fell in front of me. It was hard to miss!’
Holding actually felt he should’ve had two on the evening.
‘Yes, I should`ve had two! With the left-footed one I just couldn`t get my foot wrapped around it, to bring it in. It hit the post but I`m sure I`ll get another one, one day. I`ve been feeling my own pressure to score my first goal. I`m due a goal and to get that now, hopefully I can go on and get some more.’
Holding was asked whether he sets himself a goal target.
‘Yes. I like to say five plus is a good return for a centre-half. I aim for that and if I get more than that then I`ll be more than happy.’
As for the game itself, Holding knew that despite the four two scoreline Arsenal had made life difficult for themselves at points.
‘It was a bit frustrating. We made it difficult ourselves. In the first 10 minutes we were moving the ball fast and we were creating chance after chance. But then a bit of sloppy play in the second half, giving it away, they countered on us. They`re a good team at countering, they attack and counter with pace, which made it difficult for us. But we managed to hold on.’
It was six points from six in the Europa League and he knew we had to be happy with that.
‘Pretty good. We can`t get carried away. You`ve got to go to each game with the same confidence and same preparation and go on and get full maximum points.’
