Arsenal star reveals how close he came to leaving and what made him stay

Rob Holding is enjoying his best run of form for Arsenal since his debut campaign in north London. Sokratis’ injury problems has given Holding an opportunity to impress in the heart of Unai Emery’s defence. But Holding admits that he was linked with a loan move and reveals what has made him stay at Arsenal. “Over the off season, with my dad and my agent, we were thinking should I go out on loan and hopefully get some game time,” he told the Sky Sports. “But then the manager [Arsene Wenger] obviously announced he was retiring and then it was do I want to be out the door, rather than be in front of him [Emery] and be like, this is me, I want to play for your team. “So we took the decision to stay and do pre-season here and from pre-season he liked the look of me and I sort of knew I was part of his plans.” Holding added: “Contract wise, Arsene Wenger was staying for another year and I signed another contract with Arsene as manager and then a few weeks later he announced it [that he was leaving]. “I was thinking I’ve just signed for another four years and and your now leaving. “But it gave me that security to know that I has another few years to work on something and hopefully break into the team. “Now I think this is my best run in an Arsenal shirt. It’s been 12 games consistently playing to a good level, not playing because someone is injured but on merit. That gives you more confidence." Holding also spoke about his time under former manager Arsene Wenger and the relationship between them. “Wenger was very good for me as a manager and what he did for me,” he said. “He encouraged me to play out from the back, showed me how to and gave me confidence. “The main difference is how we’re defending when we’re attacking. When we’re up the other end of the pitch, how we are organised and prepared for a counter. That has been the biggest difference. “We’re really focusing on video work, moving as little as five yards in some positions which makes all the difference when getting to the ball. “When we were playing we would be stood there and no one would be talking to each other, whereas now there is much more communication. We seem a bit more organised and a bit more together at the back.”

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