While Arsenal don’t appear active on transfer deadline day, plenty of deals for players associated with the North London club are materialising elsewhere.
The Gunners desperately need a striker, but are yet to make a move for one.
Meanwhile, Mathys Tel is set to join Tottenham, having been heavily linked with Arsenal.
In another move, Hale End Academy graduate Maldini Kacurri is expected to join Bromley on loan.
Another player who has ties with Arsenal is also on the verge of completing a deadline day switch, while Mikel Arteta and the Emirates hierarchy remain stagnant in the market.
Rob Holding set to leave Crystal Palace for Sheffield United
Leaving Arsenal in the summer of 2023, having made 162 appearances for the club, Rob Holding signed for Palace for £4 million, expecting to play an integral role at Selhust Park.
However, the English defender has barely featured for the Eagles, making a single appearance in the 18 months he’s spent in South London.
Supposedly having fallen out with Palace boss Oliver Glasner, Holding has virtually been banished from the first-team picture.
The Daily Mail report that the 29-year-old’s miserable spell south of the river may now be set to come to an end, as he’s in talks with Sheffield United over a potential move to the Blades.
The Yorkshire club are in the midst of an intense promotion race in the Championship, and are keen on strengthening their defensive options.
Holding hasn’t played a senior match for over a year but did feature for Palace’s under-21s against Norwich City last week.
Rob Holding was unfortunate in his final season at Arsenal
Signed by Arsene Wenger for £2 million back in 2016, Holding developed into a dependable squad member at Arsenal.
However, his final campaign in N5 ended sourly, with fans blaming the centre-back for the Gunners’ late capitulation in the title race.
William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu sustained injuries at the same time, which meant Arteta was forced to call upon Holding during the run-in.
The former Bolton man struggled and was physically dominated by Erling Haaland in a crunch match against Manchester City.
While Holding’s presence in the team likely did cost Arsenal, he simply wasn’t at the level and wouldn’t have been selected had Saliba and Tomiyasu not both been injured.
The criticism around his performances was harsh, and his subsequent career decline demonstrates that it was unfair to demand displays from him for a team competing for the title.
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