Former Arsenal star Nacho Monreal sends classy message to Holding and Bellerin after their return from injury
REAL SOCIEDAD defender Nacho Monreal has congratulated former Arsenal team-mates Rob Holding and Hector Bellerin following their return to first team action.
The duo made their long-awaited returns on Tuesday night in the 5-0 win against Nottingham Forest as the Gunners sealed their passage in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
Holding had been out since December after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
While Bellerin had been on the sidelines since January after he too suffered an ACL injury.
Both men made an impact in the victory against the Championship side, with Holding heading home from a corner, and Bellerin setting up Joe Willock moments after replacing Kieran Tierney.
Monreal praised the duo on social media earlier today as he said: "So happy for Hector Bellerin and Rob Holding.
"It has been a long way but with patience, sacrifice and a lot of work you are back again. Good people deserve the best and you are two of them."
And Arsenal fans were left delighted with Holding after he kissed the badge immediately after putting the Gunners 2-0 up.
One supporter tweeted: "Captain's band, goal, badge kiss. Rob Holding is a legend."
Another said: "Rob Holding. Love the kiss of the badge son get in."
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Speaking after his return to the starting XI, Holding - who praised debutant Tierney after his stellar display - said: "The dream comeback really for me. My first touch as the captain - you can't write that any better.
"It was a proud moment for me to put the armband on. We'd had a couple of corners just before when I was just a little bit away from it so I could feel it was coming, then Reiss (Nelson) put a great ball in and I managed to get my head to it.
"It's been a totally new experience. I've never experienced a long-term injury like that before."