Arsenal defender Rob Holding claims that he had the opportunity to move away from the Emirates Stadium in the January transfer window but manager Arsene Wenger wanted him to stay at the club.
The 21-year-old joined Arsenal from Bolton at the start of this season for a fee of around £2million and he was seen as a player for the future rather than someone who would walk straight into the starting lineup.
Due to a combination of injuries and players returning late from the 2016 European Championships, Holding started Arsenal’s first three Premier League matches, where the Gunners only managed to pick up four points.
Although he featured in a couple of domestic cup matches, Holding would not play another Premier League match until mid-April but has subsequently been a regular in the team during their late-season revival.
Speaking with the Evening Standard, the young defender explained that Wenger wanted him to work more on his game in the training sessions before being brought back into the first-team fold.
“I didn’t leave in January as the boss wanted me around the team. He saw me playing,” he said.
“I just had to listen to him and keep working hard on the things he mentioned. That has spoken for itself over the last few games.
“I got a look in at the start of the season and then some cup games. After that it was just about being on the training pitch, putting the work in and getting another chance.
“Since I got the chance, I’ve managed to take it and the boss has shown some faith in me to keep me in the team.”
Following the 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, Arsene Wenger decided to start Holding away at Middlesborough in a new back three system.
The Gunners went on to win eight out of the last nine games in all competitions and the defeat came in the North London derby against Tottenham when Holding was named on the bench.