Ian Wright has criticised Mikel Arteta’s decision to drop Rob Holding for Arsenal’s win over Chelsea.
Arsenal ended their four-match winless run in the Premier League by easing to a 3-1 win over Chelsea on Tuesday night. Two goals from Martin Odegaard and one from Gabriel Jesus had the game won within the opening 34 minutes and a consolation from Noni Madueke did little to dampen the Gunners’ spirits.
It was a much-needed win for Arsenal, who surrendered their advantage over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League by drawing to Liverpool, West Ham and Southampton before losing to Pep Guardiola’s side. Holding started all of those games at centre-back following the injury to William Saliba, but was benched for the visit of Chelsea to the Emirates Stadium.
Jakub Kiwior made his first start in the Premier League for the Gunners on Tuesday, partnering Gabriel Magalhaes. The Polish international, who was signed from Spezia in January for an initial £17million, enjoyed a winning start to his Arsenal career, but Wright felt Arteta’s call to drop Holding was a contentious one.
“I think he has been a bit unfair on Rob Holding,” said Wright on Premier League Productions. “He is somebody who hasn’t had a lot of minutes. He was someone who came in to replace William Saliba – and he is fantastic.
“Yes, in certain instances, Rob has been done for pace. We have seen him isolated and it has caused a bit of a problem.
HAVE YOUR SAY! What did you make of the decision to start Jakub Kiwior ahead of Rob Holding? Comment below.
“I think it has been unfair, some of the stick he has got. But seeing Kiwior coming in. He has been there long enough to see what’s going on and to see what we are capable of. I think it’s good to bring him in. These are the games you want to see him in.”
Holding gave away a penalty in the 2-2 draw against Liverpool at the start of Arsenal’s wobble but was reprieved when Mohamed Salah missed from the penalty spot. And, like many defenders this season, he struggled to cope with Erling Haaland in the 4-1 thrashing by Manchester City.
He has been thrust into the spotlight by the injury to Saliba, who started 27 Premier League games before being withdrawn against Sporting on March 16. Arsenal won the following two matches, against Crystal Palace and Leeds, but stumbled afterwards with Holding in the side.
Arteta was pleased with Kiwior’s impact against Chelsea. "He looked ready, he looked fresh,” he said post-match. “He looked really determined, he's been getting better and better every single day.
"Not only training but his interaction, his language, he is more settled and is a player that I really like which is why we signed him. He's got the potential at his age to be great and I think he had a big task against the players he had to face today and I think he did really well."
