Arsenal have opened talks with Rob Holding over a new long-term contract, according to Football Insider.
The publication are claiming that Emirates Stadium outfit are keen on securing the future of the defender, whose contract ends in the summer of 2023.
Holding has been a constant at the centre of the Gunners defence this season, starting 10 of the 14 Premier League games.
Is Rob Holding good enough to play for Arsenal?
Yes
No
Securing the future of the 25-year-old wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. The Reds are undergoing something of a ‘cultural overhaul’ and securing the future of a player, who is more than good enough to play for the club would be a smart thing.
This season, the £10.8m-rated Englishman has made more clearances, the third-most tackles and the fourth-most interceptions per game in the Premier League. His remarkable consistency has seen him earn the trust of Arteta, who has started him in more league games this season than last campaign.
Arsenal have been synonymous with letting players run down their deals and leave the club for free. It was the case for Aaron Ramsey and is the case with the likes of Sokratis, Mesut Ozil and Shkodran Mustafi, all who look likely to leave for nothing next summer.
Whilst those players may not be good enough to play for the club, protecting their value and getting some sort of transfer fee for them as they make their way out of N5 is crucial. The north London outfit always talk about how they don’t have the finances to sign players, well when you’re letting players move on for nothing, I’m not surprised.
Letting yet another player leave on a free would be an incredibly bad idea. It’s good to see Arsenal are moving quickly to sort out the future of a central defender, who could yet prove crucial in their current rebuild.
