When Rob Holding made the move from Bolton Wanderers to Arsenal back in 2016, his father Stuart in particular was bursting with pride.
Holding senior had been there every step of the way in young Rob’s career. From his early days at Stalybridge Celtic Juniors and the Bolton Wanderers academy, to making
his senior debut while on loan at Bury, Stuart Holding was present – driving his son to and from training, to matches, and always available to offer words of support and encouragement when needed.
So when Arsene Wenger brought the defender to Arsenal nearly seven years ago when Rob was still 20 – and with just one season of league football behind him – it was a huge source of pride for everyone in the Holding household.