Darren Bent defends Rob Holding after criticism from Arsenal fan

By Jordan Harris

Darren Bent has defended Rob Holding on talkSPORT after an Arsenal fan claimed that the centre-back is a player of Championship quality, but suggested that he would not mind seeing the Gunners sign another option in that position this month.

Mikel Arteta’s men boast the second-best defensive record in the Premier League this season. It is almost remarkable to think now that William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have only been playing together since the start of the campaign.

They have formed an outstanding partnership. Meanwhile, they also have Ben White to come in. Both Holding and Takehiro Tomiyasu can also play there if needed.

Bent defends Rob Holding over claim he’s a Championship player

Holding has barely featured in the Premier League this season. Nevertheless, one Arsenal supporter claimed on talkSPORT that he needs replacing because he is not good enough for the top-flight.

Bent hit back at that suggestion. However, he did seemingly hint that Arsenal would benefit from strengthening further at the heart of the backline.

“Do you know what? I wouldn’t say that he’s a Championship player, Rob Holding,” he said. “But he has made mistakes. I would like to see another centre-back come in if I’m honest.

“But you’ve got one there, because obviously, if something happens to one of them two, Ben White goes into centre half, Tomiyasu goes in at right-back.”

Signing a new centre-back is going to be low down on Arteta’s wishlist this month. The Gunners are absolutely flying. And Arteta trusts Holding. He suggested last season that he is always there when the club need him. More recently, he suggested that he has been ‘exceptional‘.

Signing a defender with the ability of Gabriel and Saliba is not going to be easy. Like their striker pursuit, they would be targeting someone who would likely have to be prepared to largely play a back-up role.

As Bent suggests, White can easily move across. He has been a revelation at right-back. But he was excellent in his preferred position last season.

Arsenal may have moved beyond the point of Holding being a regular starter for them. But there is no question that he brings a lot to the side.

And if the Gunners are going to go on and achieve something, having players such as Holding in the squad is definitely going to have played a part.