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Arsenal defender Rob Holding is a future England international, says Arsene Wenger

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 23:  Rob Holding and Arsenal players applaud supporters after the Emirates FA Cup Semi-Final match between Arsenal and Manchester C
Image: Rob Holding (middle) has looked at home in a back three

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has praised defender Rob Holding, insisting he is a future England international.

Holding returned to the Gunners' starting line-up for the Premier League victory over Middlesbrough before keeping his place for the FA Cup semi-final victory over Manchester City at Wembley last weekend.

The England U21 international, who moved to the Emirates Stadium from Bolton last summer for £2m, has impressed as part of Arsenal's new-look three-man defence and Wenger has tipped the 21-year-old for a bright future.

Alexis Sanchez celebrates his goal with team-mate Rob Holding
Image: Holding (right) has played as part of Arsenal's new-look three-man defence

"Rob Holding is a promising defender, with a great future for England," Wenger told Sky Sports. "He's intelligent, and very shrewd to analyse after the game.

"You make him analyse, and I always feel that a common trait with all the great players I have met in my life is that if you ask them how they played, they tell you accurately what happened, with the mistakes they made too.

RANDERS, DENMARK - MARCH 27:  (L-R) Cauley Woodrow, Will Hughes and Rob Holding of England smile after victory in the U21 international friendly match betw
Image: Holding (right) has made two appearances for the England U21s

"You always think they have a chance, he does that extremely well," he added.

"I would say there is a potential that he could be one of those gems, I will follow his career for the future, because I think he will be an England international."

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Arsenal have won three straight games following the switch to 3-4-3 and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is another player to have benefited from the new formation.

The 23-year-old, deployed in a right wing-back position, put in energetic displays against Middlesbrough and Manchester City, earning praise from his manager.

Arsenal's Mesut Ozil (second left)celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game alongside Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain during the Premier League match a
Image: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has impressed as a right wing-back

"Oxlade-Chamberlain at the moment I think looks like he has found the position that suits him well, where he can use his technical ability and power," Wenger added. "When he faces the game, his penetration and power is extremely good.

"Overall he looks to enjoy it."

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