Rob Holding was delighted with his first competitive goal for Arsenal.

The 22-year-old netted his first goal for the club in the 4-2 win over BATE Borisov on Thursday night.

Holding’s had a difficult start to the season, and was understandably delighted to get on the score-sheet.

“It’s a proud moment to score my first competitive goal. I got one against Chivas last year on the tour, so to get my first competitive one I’m over the moon and the celebration showed it,” he told Arsenal.com.

“I just went round the back post. Per got the flick on and it just fell in front of me. It was hard to miss!”

Holding could have had two goals on the night, as he managed to hit the post in the first half when it looked easier to score.

Asked if he should have scored again, he said: “Yes, I should’ve had two! With the left-footed one I just couldn’t get my foot wrapped around it, to bring it in. It hit the post but I’m sure I’ll get another one, one day.”

Although scoring goals isn’t all that important for a centre back, Holding has admitted he had put pressure on himself to score, and is targeting even more goals.

“I’ve been feeling my own pressure to score my first goal. I’m due a goal and to get that now, hopefully I can go on and get some more.

“I like to say five plus is a good return for a centre-half. I aim for that and if I get more than that then I’ll be more than happy.”

Holding has been in-and-out of the Arsenal team this season, which has contributed to his uneasy start.

The goal will give him a much-needed boost to his confidence as he prepares for another spell out of the starting line-up.

Arsene Wenger seems to have settled on Laurent Koscielny, Shkodran Mustafi and Nacho Monreal as his first choice back-three in the Premier League.

However, while Koscielny and Monreal are unlikely to be dropped, Mustafi’s form has been shaky. Some good performances from Holding in the cups could help him get back into the Premier League starting line-up.

Featured image by Stuart MacFarlane