Arsenal have reportedly opened talks with Rob Holding over a new deal with Arsenal. The centre-back has two-and-a-half years left on his contract, but the Gunners could look to tie him to an even longer arrangement.
Arsenal open talks over new long-term contract for defender Mikel Arteta rates highly (Image: GETTY)
But Arteta, according to Football Insider, has been happy with what he has seen from Holding this term and has opened negotiations.
Only fellow centre-back Gabriel has started more games than Holding, just months after he looked set to leave te Emirates.
The former Bolton man was widely expected to join Newcastle United on loan in the summer, only for Arteta to force him into a late U-turn.
“I said to him ‘change your mind because you’re not going anywhere’,” Arteta said. “Rob is another who stands for every value we want at the football club.
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Arteta started his reign with an FA Cup, but is now under pressure after a disastrous run of results (Image: EXPRESS)
“He had a really difficult time but he trained and why would I have to let him go? He’s already playing, what more do you want?”
Pressure on Holding and co continues to grow, after their latest reversal they sit just three places above the drop zone, with a paltry 14 points from as many games.
But Arteta has claimed that his side are still playing well enough to pick up results, with small margins currently going against them.
"Without conceding much we lost the game on two key moments,” the Spaniard said, following defeat to Everton.
Holding has become a regular under Mikel Arteta this season (Image: GETTY)
“We reacted really well and we dominated the game. We created enough chances at least to not lose - we hit the bar so we don't have the luck.
"Against the results there is no question it is not good enough and not acceptable for the standards of this football club. Obviously it is a really complicated situation but I am very encouraged from what I see from the players who to try to continue what they are doing.
"We have to improve but as well I think we have been very unlucky not to pick up many more points. We have done well in the Europa League and in the cups but struggled to get results in the Premier League.
"The reason we are losing matches is because the margins are so small but we need [to change] those margins quickly before the situation becomes impossible."