Arsenal fans have taken to social media in their droves to call for Rob Holding to be substituted at half time during the first half of their clash with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
The game in Manchester is in many ways a title decider, with City five points behind Arsenal but with two games in hand, and the possibility to reduce that to two points with a win over the current Premier League leaders.
And it was the home side that flew out of the blocks, seeing a strong appeal for a penalty turned down just four minutes in when Thomas Partey and Kevin de Bruyne collided six yards out.
But they were quick to make their pressure count, with Erling Haaland providing a deft touch for De Bruyne to sweep home a crisp finish from just outside the Arsenal penalty area, handing the Champions a precious lead.
OH Kevin De Bruyne! 🎯
A great takedown from Erling Haaland who passes to De Bruyne for a stunning run and finish! 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/Ex4pyouHVJ
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 26, 2023
An almost replica move nearly made it 2-0 to the hosts midway through the first half, only stopped by an excellent block by Ben White 8 yards out to keep his side in the game, but Arsenal were hanging on by a thread.
And the fans were quick to point to Rob Holding, who found himself sucked out of position on several occasions chasing Haaland, as a key reason as to why they were playing so poorly.
During the first half, however, those fears were realised and as you can see below, they demanded drastic action.
We need to sub Holding at half time. I love him. But he’s not at the level of this match and they’re targeting him.
— MB (@markbrit_) April 26, 2023
Holding dealing with Haaland in this system looks unsustainable.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) April 26, 2023
Can’t believe there are a lot of people in the fan base that don’t understand how poor Holding is and how much of a hindrance he is causing to our build up play. We look like amateurs
— P™ (@SemperFiArsenal) April 26, 2023
Very evident Holding is out 4th choice RCB, he can’t play at this level. And I’m not blaming him for that, it’s just a fact
— evan 》 (@afcevan) April 26, 2023
Rob Holding playing with some severe imposter syndrome. Got to take him off. He’s so out of his depth.
— LE GROVE (@LeGrove) April 26, 2023
We aren’t committing enough players on the ball because we’re so scared of them, and we know Holding can’t handle them.
— JB™️ (@gunnerpunner) April 26, 2023
