Holding: I’m gunner be a great

After making his debut for Arsenal on the Gunners’ tour of the US and also scoring his first goal, new boy Rob Holding has spelled out his determination to replicate the careers of Tony Adams and Martin Keown.

The England U21 defender arrived from Bolton in a £2million deal last month and impressed for Arsene Wenger’s men against the MLS All-Stars, where he played the full 90 minutes and also against Chivas, scoring the Gunners’ opener.

With Per Mertesacker missing until Christmas through injury and Frenchman Laurent Koscielny only returning to training this week following an extended break after Euro 2016, Holding has been handed his chance.

Wenger seems determined to add an experienced defender to his squad this month but for the time being Holding and fellow England youngster Calum Chambers are battling it out for a starting spot.

Holding revealed he based his early career on Manchester United duo Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic but since arriving at the Emirates Stadium, it’s the careers of Adams, Keown and Sol Campbell he’s looking to emulate.

(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

“Growing up I liked to think I modelled my game on Rio Ferdinand, especially the way he played when he was in a partnership with Nemanja Vidic at Manchester United,” Holding said.

“I also watched Arsenal growing up and they had the likes of Tony Adams, Sol Campbell and Martin Keown who are all top-drawer centre halves that I admired and wanted to be like.

“I just liked how much of a leader they were on the pitch, Tony Adams especially. Sol Campbell was just a brick wall and you couldn’t get around him.

“I was pretty limited to watching the Premier League. I’d say Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique [were other players I admired] at Barcelona. They’re two top-drawer centre halves and I like Sergio Ramos and Pepe at Real Madrid too.”