Arsenal star Bukayo Saka revealed he showed support to teammate Rob Holding after his display against Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon. The defender started his first Premier League game of the season in replacement for William Saliba, who was missing through injury.
The Frenchman suffered a back problem against Sporting CP in the Europa League quarter-finals, being brought off early in the first-half of the tie. A knee concern for Takehiro Tomiyasu also ruled him out of the tie, meaning Holding had to be called upon for the clash.
While there were some shaky moments and the Gunners did concede against Palace, a 4-1 win meant that the absence wasn't as sorely felt. "We hope Willy [Saliba] is going to be better news. Again we have to wait to tomorrow to get a better picture," Mikel Arteta said after the victory.
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"We lost players, we lost Gabi for four months, we lost Thomas [Partey] for one and a half months, we lost Alex Zinchenko for one and a half months, we lost Mo Elneny for six to eight months. Now we’ve lost Eddie [Nketiah] and Tomiyasu or Saliba. Everybody has to give a bit more. It’s not a secret. If we want to maintain that level we have to give more and Rob [Holding] is clear example of what we needed today."
Given the fact he was dropped straight into the action, there was plenty of praise for Holding as he helped secure the victory. Saka revealed he had shown support to his teammate after the game in the dressing room, exchanging a hug as well as some words on his performance.
"I gave him a big hug when he came into the changing room because he deserves it," Saka said after the clash. "He was magnificent. We need that, you know, when he’s coming in to stay at the level that we’ve been playing. He was unbelievable today, so credit to him.”
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