Newcastle United suffer transfer blow as Rob Holding loan move blocked by Mikel Arteta

Holding, a defensive target for head coach Steve Bruce, played in Arsenal’s season-opening 3-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.

And Arteta revealed after the game that the 24-year-old would not be allowed to leave the club in this summer’s transfer window.

“I said to him ‘change your mind, because you’re not going anywhere’,” Arsenal’s manager told BT Sport. “Rob’s another one that stands for every value that we want at the football club. He had a really difficult time, but he trained and pursued his dream to play for this football club. Now why would I have to let him go? You’re already playing, so what else do you want?”

Meanwhile, Bruce this week allowed defender Florian Lejeune to join Alaves on a season-long loan. The 29-year-old had struggled for form and fitness last season as he returned from a second serious knee injury.