Kevin Campbell has leapt to the defence of Rob Holding ahead of Arsenal's title-decider against Manchester City. Pep Guardiola's side will welcome the Gunners to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening in what is poised up to be a winner-takes-all clash.
The reigning champions head into the tie five-points adrift of Arsenal, who sit top of the Premier League table. A win for Mikel Arteta's side will provide them plenty of breathing room in the title race, while a victory for City will deliver another huge blow to the north Londoners' hopes of getting their hands on some silverware.
Arsenal have drawn each of their previous three games; the Gunners surrendered two-goal leads against West Ham and Liverpool before going two-nil down inside quarter of an hour against Southampton. With William Saliba out injured too, Arteta has been left no choice but to play Rob Holding, who has struggled to say the least.
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Despite the recent criticism of the Englishman, Campbell has insisted that Holding has 'done alright'. Speaking on the Highbury Squad podcast, the former Arsenal striker also guaranteed that Holding will start against City, contrary to the hopes of many Gunners fans.
"Rob Holding is playing [against Manchester City]. Let me tell you now," said Campbell. "There’s always got to be a scapegoat, always. For whatever reason.
"And yeah, Rob Holding, just because of his history, and he’s not the same quality as Saliba, I think Rob Holding’s done alright. I’ll be honest with you, I think he’s done alright."
Mikael Silvestre and Tony Adams have also rubbished claims that Holding is the weak link in Arsenal's starting-lineup. Speaking to bettingexpert.com, the former Manchester United said: "Obviously Arsenal will be disappointed [drawing to Liverpool] because they were leading 2-0 away from home.
"I think in their mind they gave up two points. Nevertheless, they have to play Man City and Newcastle as well. I think the race is on. So, it will be a very tight one but I think Arsenal can manage it.
"They’ve been through a lot this season and I think they can hold their nerves and keep playing the way they have done. For Rob Holding, because he’s been at the club so long, he knows what’s at stake, he understands his role now, I think he’s ready.
"Yeah he’s not at the level of Gabriel and Saliba, I think he’s a good enough replacement to get them over the line. I don’t think Rob Holding is a weak link. It’s a team game and the back four, back six, I would say, are doing well.
"If you change one player, it’s not going to change the end result. Time will tell how big of a blow it [Saliba’s injury] is. Obviously he’s been an essential part of that partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes and it’s a shame he’s not fit to fight for the club."
Meanwhile, speaking to The Sun, Adams said: "I love Holding to bits because he has a wonderful attitude but I watched his last two games against Crystal Palace and Leeds, and he hardly touched the ball. He was so comfortable playing in a team full of confidence and working together as a unit that I reckoned I could have done that job — and I’m 56 years old!"
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