Chris Sutton has questioned why Per Mertesacker was chosen over Rob Holding against Southampton.

Mertesacker started in the middle of Arsenal’s back three against Southampton in the absence of Shkodran Mustafi.

Unfortunately, he gave the ball away in the opening three minutes of the game, didn’t have the pace to catch-up to Charlie Austin and watched Southampton take an early lead.

Chris Sutton, who was working as a pundit for BT Sport, has wondered why Mertesacker got the nod over Rob Holding.

“Yeah that’s a good point, why is Holding at home?” Sutton said, as reported by the Express. “What must he be thinking? Mertesacker has really lacked mobility.”

per mertesacker watford
WATFORD, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 14: Per Mertesacker of Arsenal looks dejected in defence the Premier League match between Watford and Arsenal at Vicarage Road on October 14, 2017 in Watford, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)

Mertesacker has been the first choice backup in defence, and has started four Premier League games this season.

Holding, meanwhile, hasn’t started a Premier League game since the 2-0 win over Brighton at the start of October.

He began the season in the Arsenal defence, but made a number of mistakes and struggled for the form he had towards the end of the last campaign.

Wenger has opted for the vastly more experienced Mertesacker who usually isn’t that error prone. Unfortunately, the German didn’t have the best of games against Southampton, and was taken off for Danny Welbeck in the second half as Arsenal chased the game.

Given that Mertesacker is unlikely to play two games in a week, Holding could get a chance against West Ham in midweek.