‘Never thought I’d hear myself say this’ – Exclusive: Darren Bent reacts to Arsenal sighting | OneFootball

EXCLUSIVE

Darren Bent says that he is desperate for the return of Rob Holding at Arsenal after voicing his concerns about the quality of defending at the Emirates Stadium.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, the former Tottenham striker, who is a boyhood Arsenal supporter, says that the Gunners appear to be lacking leadership at the heart of the defence, suggesting that Holding could be the answer to their problems.

The 23-year-old has not featured once in the first-team this season after battling back from injury, although has been spotted in full training with Unai Emery’s men ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash against Frankfurt.

Bent says that he cannot wait to see the former Bolton defender back in the Arsenal side, insisting that David Luiz has failed to bring the necessary leadership to the back-line after his move from Chelsea.

Bent told Football Insider: “They’ve got no one back there that can be like: ‘Even if we’ve got to kick it long for 10 minutes, let’s defend, be solid and compact.’ You’d think David Luiz would be that person.

“I never thought I’d hear myself say this but I can’t wait until Rob Holding gets back because it’s like he’s our best defender and since he’s not been there, we’ve been even more ropey.

“I don’t know what’s going on.”

Holding has played a total of 60 times for Arsenal since joining the north Londoners back in 2016, with a cruciate knee ligament injury keeping him out of action since December 2018.

Unai Emery started David Luiz and Sokratis against Watford, the two coming under heavy fire for allowing the Hornets to come back from 2-0 down to secure a 2-2 draw.

In other Arsenal news, Danny Mills has suggested to Football Insider that one Gunners star has had angry words with his teammates.