Arsenal defender Rob Holding has revealed that he has settled in quickly with his new side in pre-season.
The 20-year-old moved to the Gunners from Bolton Wanderers in a £2m deal earlier this summer and impressed during the side's pre-season tour of the US.
Holding is one of a number of young defenders, including England Under-21 teammate Calum Chambers, who may get a run in the first side at the start of the campaign as manager Arsene Wenger attempts to deal with an injury crisis at the back.
Asked how he had settled into life at the Emirates, Holding told the Arsenal matchday programme: "You spend most of your time with the lads, get talking to new people and before you know it, you are in the group.
"I have been hanging around a lot with Calum, because we always got along well with England, so he was one of the first ones I chatted to. I have spoken to Jack [Wilshere] quite a lot as well, and at meal times I've been with Chuba [Akpom] and Alex Iwobi so I've been mixing quite a lot. Everyone has been very welcoming.
"[This season, I want] to develop as a player and try to play as many games as possible. If I'm needed to fill in anywhere along the back line, I'm more than happy to do so, then build up with each game. I'm looking forward to it and testing myself against the best strikers in the Premier League."
Holding could feature in Arsenal's opening game of the season tomorrow as Wenger's charges welcome Liverpool to North London.
Neil Wilkes
