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Rob Holding in Line for Surprise Arsenal Leadership Role as Laurent Koscielny Battles to Leave

Arsenal manager Unai Emery has been tipped to hand Rob Holding a surprise leadership role in the Gunners squad when 23-year-old centre-back returns from long-term injury. It comes as current club captain Laurent Koscielny attempts to force his way out of the club.

Holding has only played 60 games in his three seasons as an Arsenal player since joining the club from Bolton in 2016, while he hasn't been seen on the pitch since a knee ligament injury in December. But when he returns, Emery is thought to want him as one of his 'five captains'.

The leadership group, which also features Mesut Ozil and Granit Xhaka - the latter is expected to receive the overall captaincy, has already lost Petr Cech and Aaron Ramsey since the end of last season.