Arsenal are set to let a number of players leave in the coming days, with the transfer window drawing to a close, and Rob Holding could be the next out the door.
The 27-year-old has fallen down the pecking order, and has failed to make a single matchday squad in this campaign, having disappointed when stepping in following an injury to William Saliba last season.
Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that there is interest from Spanish clubs in the Englishman, and the expectation is that he will depart the club in the coming days.
“Rob Holding, still expected to leave Arsenal in the final days of the transfer window. There are discussions now ongoing to make it happen,” he tweeted.
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“Understand there are also Spanish clubs asking for conditions of Holding deal.”
A necessary departure
Even with the injury to Jurrien Timber and the loan exit of Kieran Tierney, it is clear that Holding has to depart the club.
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Although he has been a top professional over the years, last season showed that he is no longer at the level required, even as a backup player.
His lack of ability on the ball compared to Saliba, and his lack of pace, makes him a completely unsuitable fit for Arsenal’s current system, and the draws against Liverpool and West Ham last season showed his limitations as well as his negative impact on the team.
His presence at the back causes Arsenal as a team to drop deeper, as he cannot play in a high line, and his tendency to get sucked out of position to engage with forwards has seen him lose battles with Heung-Min Son and Erling Haaland in two huge defeats for the club.
Arsenal will hope for a permanent departure rather than a loan, but it remains to be seen what kind of offers the club receive, with most La Liga teams currently struggling financially.