“I never expected to leave Arsenal so soon, but they threw me out after 7 years. Now at Crystal Palace, I’m only trying to emulate TWO Arsenal icons”- Former Arsenal star Rob Holding revealed the reason behind his shocking departure to Crystal Palace and also named the ONLY two Arsenal players that cared for him – Not Ødegaard and Not Thomas Partey.

“I had no intention of leaving Arsenal so quickly, but seven years later they dismissed me.” “At Crystal Palace, my current objective is to replicate the styles of TWO iconic figures from Arsenal.”Rob Holding, a former star for Arsenal, disclosed the reason for his unexpected transfer to Crystal Palace and identified the SINGLE pair of Arsenal players who had any regard for him. None of Ødegaard or Thomas Partey”I had no intention of leaving Arsenal so quickly, but seven years later they dismissed me.” “At Crystal Palace, my current objective is to replicate the styles of TWO iconic figures from Arsenal.”Rob Holding, a former star for Arsenal, disclosed the reason for his unexpected transfer to Crystal Palace and identified the SINGLE pair of Arsenal players who had any regard for him.Two former Arsenal colleagues are mentioned by Rob Holding as individuals he aspires to emulate at Crystal Palace.

Rob Holding expresses his desire to motivate his junior Crystal Palace colleagues in the same manner that two former Arsenal captains motivated him.

On transfer deadline day, the defender made the transition from the Emirates to Selhurst Park, bringing to an end a seven-year tenure in north London during which he amassed 162 appearances in all competitions and won two FA Cups.

During that period, he played alongside several Gunners greats and notable club commanders, including Granit Xhaka, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Martin Odegaard, and led his side to a few victories.

Holding, who is the most seasoned member of the Palace squad by both age and European football experience, aspires to assume a leadership role for his new club. He attributes this to the guidance he received from former commanders Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny.

The center-back told talkSPORT, “I have a lot of experience, I’m 28 years old now, and they have quite a young team at Palace; they have some young lads coming through.”Minor details that I’ve assimilated from my initial encounters in the Arsenal locker room during which Mertesacker and Koscielny were prevalent are that they are exemplary leaders.

“I will be able to accomplish that if I can transfer any small pieces of advice I gained from them to the younger boys at Palace at the moment.”

This season, the Eagles’ starting XIs have an average age of just over 27, which is the third-oldest in the Premier League, tied with Newcastle and trailing only Fulham and West Ham.

However, a number of Roy Hodgson’s most important players, such as Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi, and Michael Olise, are relatively youthful.

Holding appointed Mertesacker captain of Arsenal in the summer, succeeding the retiring Mikel Arteta; the World Cup champion is currently the Academy Manager for the club.

Koscielny assumed the stewardship in 2018 subsequent to the German’s retirement; however, he retained the position for a mere season prior to his disingenuous departure from the club in favor of Bordeaux, where he retired in 2022.

Holding has appeared in just one game for Palace thus far, in a 3-0 Carabao Cup loss at Manchester United; however, this Saturday at Newcastle could mark his league debut in red and blue.