‘Just a joke’: Arsenal defender admits he simply couldn’t cope against Aston Villa player

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal defender Rob Holding has admitted that Aston Villa star Philippe Coutinho rinsed him back in his Liverpool days.

Holding was taking part in Sky Sports YouTube feature Never Have I Ever alongside Arsenal teammate Aaron Ramsdale.

The presenter asked both players whether they had ever been rinsed by a world-class opponent, and Holding went for the Villa ace.

Coutinho dazzled for Liverpool between 2013 and 2018 before joining Barcelona in a big-money deal.

The Villans loanee struggled at the Bernabeu, even though he shone on loan at Bayern Munich in 2019-20.

In January, Steven Gerrard brought Coutinho to Villa Park, and he’s been sensational in claret-and-blue.

Holding made his debut in the 2016–17 Premier League season opener on 14 August 2016 against Liverpool.

Arsenal lost 4–3 at home, with Coutinho scoring twice against the Gunners.

In his post-match press conference, Arsene Wenger issued a passionate defence of his new £2million signing.

“Unfortunately no one speaks about the performance of Rob Holding,” ESPN quoted him as saying.

“You should be happy, he is English and 20 years old. I am sorry he didn’t cost £55million, so he can’t be good.”

Holding has now admitted that Coutinho was “just a joke that day” and that he struggled against the Brazilian.

“Probably my Arsenal debut,” Holding said in response to the ‘rinsing’ question.

“We had Liverpool at home, and Coutinho was just a joke that day.”

Coutinho really is a world-class talent and the Premier League is better with him playing in it.

Likewise, Villa did superbly to get their hands on him, and a £33million option to buy is an absolute bargain.