Rob Holding and Gabriel
Gabriel Agbonlahor has expressed his sympathy for Arsenal defender Rob Holding after previously labelling him ‘a Championship defender’. The 27-year-old has come into the side in place of injured centre-back William Saliba, with the Gunners unable to keep a clean sheet since. Roy Keane has raised concerns over Holding’s lack of pace while Agbonlahor slammed the Englishman following the 3-3 home draw against Southampton. Agbonlahor said: ‘Holding for me is a Championship defender and not good enough to be centre-half at a team that wants to win the title. Since Saliba has been injured, they’ve conceded nine goals in five games, three draws in a row. That’s not championship form. Manchester City will put three or four past Arsenal. Haaland will be in the changing room saying [he] can’t wait to play against Holding and Gabriel.’
Speaking after Arsenal’s loss to City, though, Agbonlahor now feels bad for those remarks. He said: ‘I sort of felt sorry for Holding. Everyone is criticising him, but he’s just not at that level. When we said Haaland would be licking his lips, that’s just the truth.’ talkSPORT host Alan Brazil replied: ‘What do you mean you feel sorry for him? You probably put him off his game saying he’s a Championship defender!’ To which Agbonlahor replied: ‘He’s just not good enough.’