Emery looking at Holding to replace Koscielny

Unai Emery has admitted Koscielny might leave and has plans for Holding

Gunners boss Emery said: “I want one English player in these five captains. Last year Xhaka, Mesut and Nacho were working as captains. But after Aaron Ramsey and Petr Cech left – and possibly Laurent Koscielny – I will want more.

“An English player who grew up in our academy can understand the English spirit and Arsenal values. These are the qualities and more [we want].

“We lost some players with big experience and a long time in England and Arsenal like Cech and Ramsey. We lost Koscielny too. They started one day being captain when they were young.

“We have young players with experience, players starting for the first time to be considered as captains. If we decide on a player they have the capacity and deserve to have the opportunity to be captain.

“(I look for) experience of leadership, being an example on and off the pitch, character and communication with the coach and other players, capacity to speak and to be there for supporters, a good connection and communication with the club.”

Emery said: “We are really happy with his progress. He started training with us a few days ago. We’re going to do one process to let him play little by little. We need his performances as a centre-back.

“When he had his injury he was really playing with big performances. We’re looking forward to seeing him with us and other players with injuries like Hector Bellerin, [Konstantinos] Mavropanos and Emile Smith Rowe. We are waiting for [Holding] to come back with us with his quality.”

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