‘Very popular’ Rob Holding signs new three-year contract with Arsenal

Rob Holding has signed a new three-year contract at Arsenal with the option for a further year following an impressive 12 months.

The centre-back has become a regular under Mikel Arteta this season, playing 18 times in all competitions – the same total he managed throughout the whole of the 2019-20 campaign.

Holding was a key part of the Gunners’ run to the FA Cup final and starred to help them clinch silverware with a 2-1 win over Chelsea on August 1.

“Since I started as manager, I have been hugely impressed with Rob’s contribution to the club and the dressing room, on and off the pitch,” Arteta told the official club website.

“We all know Rob’s quality, which he has shown in his displays during the intense moments of those two FA Cup final victories.

“We are all very happy that Rob has signed a new contract, he is very popular with all the players and staff and we’re looking forward to watching him continue to grow with us in the coming years.”

Since the defender moved to the Emirates from Bolton in the summer of 2016, he has made 96 appearances for the club.

Holding also impressed in the 2017 FA Cup final triumph, again over Chelsea, and has been backed to get even better in the coming years.

Technical director Edu added: “We are very happy to have signed Rob on a new contract extension. He is 25 years old so is still coming into the peak of his career and we are delighted that he’ll be with us during these important years.

“Rob has shown great quality and maturity on and off the pitch in recent months and is developing well. We are looking forward to Rob continuing his progression in the years to come.”

Holding is expected to feature against Crystal Palace on Thursday and while Arsenal are set to be without Gabriel Martinelli for that game, the news on the forward is a lot more positive than expected.

Arteta feared the worst when the 19-year-old suffered an ankle injury in the warm-up before Saturday’s FA Cup tie with Newcastle.

Martinelli was said to be in tears in the medical room, but an update from the club revealed he could return to training as soon as this week.

A statement read: “Gabi has progressed very well and we’re hoping that he will return to full training with the squad in the next few days.”