Press conference

Emery - Holding has taken his chance here

Rob Holding has been a key figure for us as we have gone 16 matches unbeaten - and Unai Emery has been quick to praise the young centre back.

The England Under-21 international has started the last six games for us, and has impressed with his composure and defensive work.

This is what Emery told the media about him on Friday:

on his thoughts on Rob Holding...

I think in the pre-season, every player had chances to show us how they can play and little by little, with his work every day, I think Rob Holding is improving, he is taking confidence and with confidence he is at his best. He is helping us like we want, but I say it with every player, we want every player to be okay, to be with good spirit in training. His chances are coming in the matches and now Koscielny also is working with us every day and he is close to playing in the next matches. Sokratis is working better every day also, I think his adaptation is better now than in the first two months. We need every player and Rob Holding for us is also very important with his spirit, with his commitment with us and with every player.

on Holding staying in the summer...

Yes, because in the pre-season we also had Mavropanos - but he is injured now - we had also Chambers and we decided to let him go on loan to Fulham and we decided that Rob Holding stayed here. But in the pre-season, every decision was looking at the matches with the players and finding the best performance in this moment. I think Rob Holding, we decided for him to stay here and when he had chances, he played well and he helped us with big performances. Every match is a test, another test for Rob to do that.