Ian Wright slams Mikel Arteta for ‘unfair’ treatment of Arsenal star in wake of big win over Chelsea
ARSENAL legend Ian Wright has hit out at Mikel Arteta’s “unfair” treatment of Rob Holding after dropping the star for the win over Chelsea.
The Gunners ended their four-match winless run and maintained their title challenge by beating the Blues 3-1 at the Emirates on Tuesday.
Arsenal’s faltering bid for a first Premier League crown in 19 years has suffered a blow in recent weeks due to the loss of first-choice defender William Saliba.
In the Frenchman’s absence, back-up centre-half Holding had deputised alongside Gabriel Magalhaes as Ben White was forced to continue at right-back due to Takehiro Tomiyasu’s injury absence.
However, Arteta decided to start the 27-year-old on the bench against Chelsea as he opted for January signing Jakub Kiwior instead.
And speaking on Premier league Productions, Wright feels that the Englishman has been hard done to.
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Arsenal’s former record goalscorer, who won the league and cup double with them in 1998, said: “I think [Arteta] has been a bit unfair on Rob Holding.
“He is somebody who hasn't had a lot of minutes. He was someone who came in to replace William Saliba – and he is fantastic.
“Yes, in certain instances, Rob has been done for pace. We have seen him isolated and it has caused a bit of a problem.”
Kiwior’s outing was his first start in the Premier League with the ex-Spezia ace twice coming off the bench since his arrival.
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Man City are currently one point ahead of Arteta’s side at the top of the table and have a game in hand on the chasers.
But the Gunners are still praying for a slip-up from the Cityzens as they look to earn maximum points from their final four matches.