With current Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny refusing to travel with the team for their pre-season tour of the United States, there are going to be repercussions going far and beyond.
One of those would be the change of captain’s arm-band as Koscielny is expected to be stripped of the captain’s role.
Former Gunners midfielder Jack Wilshere thinks that young center-back Rob Holding would be the right man to replace the 33-year-old French defender.
Wilshere who left the Gunners in the summer of 2018 was speaking to Football London, and he said:
‘Rob Holding was playing so well before he got injured and will be a great addition to their defense once he’s fit again.
‘I really think he could be a potential Arsenal captain of the future.’
Holding was one of the most impressive members of the Arsenal squad last season but his season was cruelly cut short due to an injury that he suffered in an away game against Manchester United. The long-term effect of the injury meant that the center back did not play any game after that.
This was especially disappointing for manager Unai Emery as Holding was a key component in the 4-man back-line that the team used so successfully in the middle part of the season. His reading of the game coupled with great passing ability meant that he was the perfect foil for whoever happened to be his partner.
There is no doubt that he will have a huge part to play in whatever Arsenal are trying to do next season. Getting back into the Champions League is going to be the most important objective for the squad and Holding will play a big part in that endeavor.
The situation with Koscielny is one that the club would definitely have tried to avoid but they have to face the fact that it is happening now. Getting a solution to this as quick as possible is needed and the club should be looking at all possibilities before making a decision.
Holding is an extremely talented player and in his short time at the club has shown some genuine leadership qualities. If the club were to reward him with the captaincy they should stick with him.
