While Olivier Giroud celebrated his 100th goal in Arsenal colours on Thursday night, Rob Holding was toasting his first competitive strike in our 4-2 win over BATE Borisov.
The 22-year-old defender found the net in the 25th minute, turning the ball home from close range after Per Mertesacker had got his head to a corner.
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Rob spoke to Arsenal.com post-match - and this is what he said:
on how it felt to score his first Arsenal goal…
It’s a proud moment to score my first competitive goal. I got one against Chivas last year on the tour, so to get my first competitive one I’m over the moon and the celebration showed it.
on the goal itself…
I just went round the back post. Per got the flick on and it just fell in front of me. It was hard to miss!
on saying off-camera that he should’ve had two goals…
Yes, I should’ve had two! With the left-footed one I just couldn’t get my foot wrapped around it, to bring it in. It hit the post but I’m sure I’ll get another one, one day.
on how much it means to him…
I’ve been feeling my own pressure to score my first goal. I’m due a goal and to get that now, hopefully I can go on and get some more.
on hitting the bar at Wembley…
I just skimmed the bar at Wembley so it was coming! It took a bit longer than I wanted to.
on whether he ever sets himself goal targets then…
Yes. I like to say five plus is a good return for a centre-half. I aim for that and if I get more than that then I’ll be more than happy.
on the game…
It was a bit frustrating. We made it difficult ourselves. In the first 10 minutes we were moving the ball fast and we were creating chance after chance. But then a bit of sloppy play in the second half, giving it away, they countered on us. They’re a good team at countering, they attack and counter with pace, which made it difficult for us. But we managed to hold on.
on six points from a possible six so far in the Europa League…
Pretty good. We can’t get carried away. You’ve got to go to each game with the same confidence and same preparation and go on and get full maximum points.
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