Was Mikel Arteta’s decision to keep Rob Holding at Arsenal an error?

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Mikel Arteta looks set to have a number of crucial decisions to make when the January transfer window opens with Arsenal struggling to find any sort of form in the Premier League.

The Gunners have won one of their last seven in the top flight. In that time, their only goal from open play came in a defeat. And the pressure on Arteta increased significantly following their North London derby defeat at the weekend.

That game saw Rob Holding start at centre-back. In truth, the 25-year-old was, by no means, the worst performer for the Gunners. However, he could perhaps take some criticism for not closing Son Heung-min down for the opening goal.

It was certainly not the defender’s best performance. And that has arguably been the story of Holding’s season.

There have been colossal performances. He was outstanding at Manchester United last month. But he has also been disappointing on a few occasions – most notably, in the defeat to Aston Villa the week after his Old Trafford heroics.

He has been overshadowed by the start Gabriel has made to life in North London. And that perhaps opens the door to ask whether Arteta made an error keeping him in the summer.

The Daily Mail reported in August that Holding was close to joining Newcastle on loan. However, he ultimately stayed put after impressing in the Community Shield and at Fulham on the opening day.

There have definitely been times when keeping Holding has looked like a masterstroke. But given his more disappointing displays, perhaps it would be fair to argue that Arsenal would be wise to consider any similar offers in January.

Would Holding benefit from loan move?

The former Bolton man has arguably not kicked on to the level that some would have expected when he arrived at the Emirates. That is not all down to him by any means.

But Arsenal need to consider some ruthless decisions in the coming months and years if they are going to recover from this current bleak chapter in their illustrious history.

Loaning Holding out does not need to signal the end of his Gunners career however. If he leaves temporarily and produces his best displays on a more regular basis, there is no reason why he cannot come back into the fold upon his return.

Holding is arguably one of the players who deserves more time to prove that he can step up and help take Arsenal out of the rut that they have arguably been in for a number of years.

But given his inconsistency, perhaps Arteta should seriously think, once again, about whether the defender would benefit most from spending some time out on loan.