The centre-back is recovering from a slight knock and will hope to be in contention for Friday’s Premier League opener against Brentford

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 01: Rob Holding of Arsenal during the pre season friendly between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on August 01, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Rob Holding remains focused on the new season with Arsenal and is set to stay at the club, football.london understands.

Reports over the weekend had suggested that Holding was the target of Premier League sides Newcastle and Leicester City.

However, football.london has learned that the rumours are not accurate and Holding remains focused on his recovery from injury ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Brentford on Friday.

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Magpies boss Steve Bruce had tried to sign Holding last summer but Gunners manager Mikel Arteta decided to keep the defender at Emirates Stadium.

Holding signed a contract extension in January which runs until 2024, with the option for a further year.

The signing of Ben White has increased competition for places at centre back, with Pablo Mari, Gabriel Magalhaes and Calum Chambers among the options for Arteta to choose from.

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“We value him [Holding] very much and I think now people understand the importance that he has on the team and at the club,” Arteta said in February.

“I think he is happy at the club as well, so it is a good thing. I think his leadership has improved so much because he feels a very important part of the team.

“He is very respected, because he has earned that respect with the way he is as a human being, how much he looks after the other people and after how he is performing. It is a natural evolution for him and I am really happy with the way he’s performing

It is about him and how hard he works, how much he is all the time willing to learn, how humble he is. Even when things are going really well for him, he wants to get better.”

Holding is one of several players who Arteta has selected as part of his leadership team for the upcoming season, with Kieran Tierney also expected to be involved.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will continue as captain while Granit Xhaka is likely to be part of the group after his surprise U-turn which saw him stay at the club.