---
title: "Arsenal: Fans delighted after what Rob Holding did before Madrid match"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/arsenal-fans-delighted-after-what-rob-holding-did-before-madrid-match/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Stephan Georgiou"
section: "Arsenal Football Club"
published: "2019-07-25T13:35:48Z"
modified: "2019-07-25T13:35:48Z"
---

# Arsenal: Fans delighted after what Rob Holding did before Madrid match

**Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the United States may have ended on a slightly sour note with their penalty shoot-out [defeat](https://www.arsenal.com/fixture/arsenal/2019-Jul-23/real-madrid-2-2-arsenal-match-report) to Real Madrid, but an act of quick thinking and loyalty from a Gunners defender had fans praising their player with delight.**

Rob Holding was filmed on camera greeting supporters prior to their 2-2 draw with Real Madrid in Maryland, signing shirts before he was [handed](https://metro.co.uk/2019/07/24/give-armband-rob-holding-refuses-sign-tottenham-shirt-arsenal-fans-love-10452765/) a Spurs shirt by a ‘fan’ – and quickly shot down the tunnel before making inky contact with the Tottenham jersey.

Response online has been rather kind towards Holding – who has recently returned to [training](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DUABC0P96k) following his long-term absence through [injury](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/players/arsenal-news-rob-holding-rashford-16506297) – with many fans enjoying the sight of their player showing a certain amount of disdain towards their arch-rivals.

Some supporters have touted the 23-year-old as a future Arsenal captain – which may be a [hot topic](https://www.arsenal.com/news/club-statement-laurent-koscielny) of late – off the back of his signing snub, while others are clearly taking to the centre-back by calling for knighthoods and statues to be commissioned in his honour.

While that reaction may be a little over the top, it looks like these Gunners fans foresee a very bright future indeed for Holding as he approaches full fitness at Arsenal:

> I think Rob Holden should be knighted after this singular act of patriotism and loyalty. [#AFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/AFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — segio (@segio1939) [July 24, 2019](https://twitter.com/segio1939/status/1153925659116417024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Start casting the statue
>
> — Zac Riviere (@RiviereZac) [July 24, 2019](https://twitter.com/RiviereZac/status/1153863862816530438?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Give him that armband!
>
> — L (@rambo2168) [July 24, 2019](https://twitter.com/rambo2168/status/1154004956506202113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> He should be knighted for that.
>
> — Jason Doyle KBI (@JDArsenalFan) [July 24, 2019](https://twitter.com/JDArsenalFan/status/1153943298236649472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> [@RobHolding95](https://twitter.com/RobHolding95?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) YES ROB! Captain material!
>
> — Barnaby Fox (@BJayFox) [July 24, 2019](https://twitter.com/BJayFox/status/1153922416239943680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Class Act our modern day Adams
>
> — thegoon65 (@thegoon65) [July 24, 2019](https://twitter.com/thegoon65/status/1153906001030066176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Give hime the captain armband, a 10 year contract and build him a statue outside the Emirates [@Arsenal](https://twitter.com/Arsenal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — A falcon with a cap on its head (@LuisFaraudo) [July 24, 2019](https://twitter.com/LuisFaraudo/status/1153837024048295937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Captain. Legend.
>
> — MO’bolaji (@lyrikalmoi) [July 24, 2019](https://twitter.com/lyrikalmoi/status/1153927242566819841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)