Wenger: Holding deserves more credit

Arsene Wenger fears Rob Holding does not get the praise he deserves because he commanded a relatively small transfer fee.

Holding moved to the Gunners from Bolton Wanderers for £2million in the same summer that Manchester City paid Everton £47.5m to sign John Stones – 16 months his senior.

With Laurent Koscielny, Gabriel, Per Mertesacker and Calum Chambers for competition, it seemed Holding may be nursed into first-team football.

But injuries and a lack of match fitness have seen Holding start both of Arsenal’s Premier League matches so far.

And while supporters vent their frustration at Arsenal’s failure to add any big-money acquisitions to the £30m signing of midfielder Granit Xhaka, Wenger believes that is short-sighted.

(Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

“He’s 20 years-old, he’s English and it’s a great reason to be happy,” insisted Wenger.

“As long as players don’t cost a huge amount of money, people don’t give them any qualities.

“We have to be stronger than that and just acknowledge how good he is.”

Wenger does though appear set to appease his legion of critics, after revealing Arsenal intend to be active in the transfer market before the window closes at the end of the month.

“We still have to look around to strengthen our squad,” he added.

“Overall that’s what we tried to do.”