Holding hailed for gesture to team-mate after Arsenal win Community Shield

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Holding hailed for gesture to team-mate after Arsenal win Community Shield
Holding hailed for gesture to team-mate after Arsenal win Community Shield

ARSENAL fans have praised Rob Holding after he convinced team-mate Jakub Kiwior to get a photo with the Community Shield following their Wembley triumph.

The Gunners beat Manchester City on penalties earlier this month to kick off their 2023/24 campaign in style.

Rob Holding, centre, convinced Jakub Kiwior, right, to get a photo with the trophy qhidquihxiquqprw
Rob Holding, centre, convinced Jakub Kiwior, right, to get a photo with the trophyCredit: Getty

Both Holding, 27, and Kiwior, 23, were unused substitutes in the match.

But Holding still felt it was important for the Polish centre-back to get a shot with the trophy.

Speaking on Timbsy's YouTube channel, he said: "After winning the Community Shield I was speaking to Jakub, who is really shy, doesn’t speak much English and I said ‘have you had a picture with the trophy yet, with the fans behind?’

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"And he was like no, I said let’s get one and he was like ‘no, no, no’.

"I’ve won a few trophies now and when I look back on it I wish I had enjoyed it a lot more and put myself out there a bit more to say I’m getting the trophy because when I look back on it I want to have that photo.

"So I said, believe me, let’s go get this photo you’ll appreciate it in a couple of years. So he was like okay.

"So we kneel down next to the trophy, have a photo and I sent it him on WhatsApp and said there you go mate, and Martin [Odegaard] noticed it as well, so he came over and got in the photo as well.

"So at least he has a photo with a trophy now because I don’t know if he’d have even picked it up and lifted it!"

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Kiwior only joined Arsenal in January and has played just nine games for Mikel Arteta's side.

But he came off the bench in the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Monday night.

And Arsenal fans appreciated Holding's gesture as Kiwior continues to bed in with the North London club.

Reacting to Holding's comments, one social media user said: "Love your leadership, Rob."

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Another added: "I'd always liked Holding as an Arsenal player. He came through for us when he was younger playing with Per/Kos, then Mustafi.

"And even now his standing has gone down as he's not as technical as the players we have, whenever he's on the pitch he gives ????. Nothing but respect."

A third replied: "Rob Holding, what a guy. Worth his wages on vibes alone."

And a fourth responded: "I feel like Rob is the man in the club that integrates others and make them feel more welcome.

"He just has that personality, and I feel like although everybody is welcoming at the club, that's part of Holding's role so to say."

Along with their Community Shield triumph, Arsenal have begun their Premier League campaign with back-to-back wins against Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace.

Next up for Arteta's men is a home game against Fulham on Saturday.

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Dylan Terry

Arsenal, Rob Holding, Jakub Kiwior

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