5 best U21 Players at Arsenal according to FM 18

1. Rob Holding

Rob Holding- holding down his spot for the future?

Rob Holding joined Arsenal from Bolton last season. Arguably one of the best young defenders in the league, Holding still has a long way to develop. He has become a regular face in Arsenal's backline in the middle of the many injuries that have affected Laurent Koscielny in the recent past.

Holding is still only 21 and has a long way to develop and Arsenal could do well to persist with him despite a few questionable performances. He still has to adapt from Championship football to playing at the highest domestic level. Holding is valued much lower than Alex Iwobi but it is well worth remembering that defenders are always valued lesser than goal-scorers. Holding fails to beat Iwobi on that count but in time could be more important to the North London club than Iwobi.

Arsenal's central defenders - Koscielny and Mertesacker - are no spring chickens and Gabriel Paulista, who was touted as the answer has left for Valencia following a mixed spell at the club. While Shkodran Mustafi is the first choice, for now, Holding has the potential to be the long-term answer to the age-old defender problem that the Gunners have faced.

To add to everything, he is English and that helps in registration rules for competitions as well. FM 18 wise, he has incredible concentration and composure for a 21-year-old. His positioning is solid and he is quite quick on his feet, strong and good in the air - in short, a perfect central defender.