‘Sad’: Ray Parlour upset by Arsenal transfer decision

Sat 9 September 2023 7:15, UK

🎉Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has admitted he was sad to see Rob Holding leave the Emirates Stadium.

𓆉However, the Gunners icon acknowledges the defender wanted game time.

ꦯSpeaking to , Parlour believes Holding has made a great move and will do well at Crystal Palace.

𝕴Arsenal sold Holding to their Premier League and London rivals in the summer.

𝐆The Gunners reportedly earned £4million from the sale of the 27-year-old.

♛Holding joined Arsenal in 2016 and went on to make 162 appearances for the Gunners, scoring five goals.

🐎He also won two FA Cups during his time in north London, making the starting XI in both finals.

⛎However, as per , it was decided that Holding was out of Mikel Arteta’s plans this summer.

♓Arsenal reportedly rejected a £2million bid from Turkish giants Besiktas for the player this summer.

ꦦMeanwhile, reigning Europa League champions Sevilla were apparently interested in taking Holding on loan.

🦩In the end, he stayed put in London and remained in the Premier League by joining Roy Hodgson’s Eagles.

“I was sad to see Rob go,” Parlour said on .

⛎“Because he is such a good guy for the dressing room area, but obviously, he wants to play.

📖“He has gone to Palace which is a great move for Rob. I am sure he will do a really good job at Palace.”

Our view

♚Obviously it’s a shame when such a well-liked and hard-working player as Holding leaves the club where he has plied his trade for years.

✨However, it’s not a surprising move in the slightest. Arsenal have gone up several levels and, as such, they can’t promise him much game time.

♕Holding will no doubt do a good job for a Palace side eager to rise up the table and perhaps challenge for Europe and embark on a cup run.