Report: Mikel Arteta reportedly blocks the loan move of Arsenal star

Arsenal centre back Rob Holding has been linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium this month and Newcastle United has been the club that has shown the most interest with some reports even claiming that he might go there on a loan deal. It’s now being reported that Mikel Arteta has made a new decision on Holding’s future.

Rob Holding has been at Arsenal since 2016 and he has been in their last two FA Cup trophy winning teams but he has however still failed to establish himself as a consistent starter in their main eleven under the last two managers namely, Arsene Wenger and Unai Emery. It was reported a few days back that Rob Holding was close to a move to Newcastle United on a loan deal as the gunners wanted to continue to trim their squad ahead of the start of the season but a new report claims that Mikel Arteta’s stance on the player might have changed.

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 29: (L-R) Kieran Tierney and Rob Holding of Arsenal with the Community Shield after the FA Community Shield match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on August 29, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal have in recent days changed their stance on Rob Holding as the Daily Mail claims that Mikel Arteta is now looking to keep the English centre back after he impressed in their FA Community Shield victory and possibly their other pre-season matches despite the fact that Newcastle United were waiting for the gunners to give the green light to the earlier expected loan move. It now looks like Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta is now unwilling to let go of Holding as he would rather let go of Shkodran Mustafi, Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Calum Chambers.

It will be interesting to see if Rob Holding will get more minutes in the Premier League if he stays at Arsenal as the club already has many centre backs but the club deciding to keep him could be because Mikel Arteta wants to continue using a three man defence hence needing to have many options in that area available throughout the full campaign.