Many Arsenal fans on Twitter have been praising Rob Holding for the maturity he showed on his Champions League debut.
The 21-year-old, signed from Bolton in the summer for £2m, played alongside Laurent Koscielny in the 4-1 win in Basel that ensured the Gunners topped their group.
And not even a mistake which led to Basel’s consolation could stop some supporters comparing Holding (pictured above, left) with Manchester City’s John Stones.
Rob Holding will be a better player than John Stones. #AFC #BASvAFC
— Mark Prentice (@mark_prentice) December 6, 2016
Holding > Stones #AFC
— Dev (@GrailOfFutbol) December 6, 2016
Rob Holding at £2m in today’s market could turn out to be an absolute steel! He’s got the lot! #afc
— dan wylie (@wyliedan) December 6, 2016
Nothing to hold against the young Holding, he has been superb all night before that mistake that gifts Basel a goal #Afc
— Michel Sh. Kayemba (@mikedandy) December 6, 2016
Rob Holding looks the business #AFC
— Luke Alcock (@lukealcock1980) December 6, 2016
Rob Holding is top class for me. He has done extremely well #AFC
— Bekim (@Bekims) December 6, 2016
Rob Holding looks a very good prospect #COYG #AFC?
— Sean H (@afcsean89) December 6, 2016
However, other fans felt Holding’s error showed up his lack of experience on the biggest stage, in only his seventh appearance for Arsenal.
Annoying goal to concede. Schoolboy from Rob Holding. Got too confident for his own liking there. #AFC #UCL
— Alex Batt (@AlexBatt) December 6, 2016
Holding has a lot to learn #afc #ucl #BASvAFC
— Tolu Adigun-James (@tjames_emjay) December 6, 2016
Holding that was poor. #BASvAFC #AFC
— Justin. (@AlexisMyDrug) December 6, 2016
Holding you fool! #AFC #GoonerFamily
— DD (@JcwannabeGooner) December 6, 2016