Arsenal defender Rob Holding is reportedly set to move a step closer to making his comeback from a long-term knee injury when he plays for the club’s Under-23s on Friday.
Holding, 23, has not featured for the Gunners for nine months after damaging his cruciate ligament against Manchester United in December.
But The Mail reports that the centre-back is due to play all 90 minutes when the club’s Under-23s side host Everton .
The defender has already featured for the youth side this season, playing 63 minutes in the 3-1 win over Blackburn, but the publication claims that the club view Friday’s meeting as the true test of his readiness to return to first-team action.
If he comes through the encounter without any issues, Holding is expected to be available for Unai Emery’s squad after the international break.
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That means he is likely to miss this the club’s next two Premier League matches – against Liverpool and Tottenham – but could return for the trip to Watford on September 15.
Since joining the Gunners from Bolton in 2016, Holding has made 60 appearances for the Premier League club.
His return will be seen as a big boost for Emery after the 23-year-old featured prominently under the Spaniard last year before his season-ending injury.
Arsenal, who are currently second in the Premier League table following victories over Burnley and Newcastle , travel to Anfield on Saturday looking to maintain their perfect start to the new campaign against league leaders Liverpool.
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Jurgen Klopp’s side are the only team yet to drop any points after wins against Norwich and Southampton .
Emery’s side were beaten 5-1 in the same fixture last season, and the Arsenal boss joked that the prospect of facing the current European champions isn’t one he is looking forward to.
He said: “For us, we don’t ever want to play against Liverpool – but it’s really a challenge, a good test.
“Really our target is to reduce the distance (between us) and Manchester City and Liverpool last season, and when we go to play against them it’s a big moment to show how (much stronger) we can be.
(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
“Last week you asked me if we are better now than last year – I don’t know. It’s the same if you ask if we are going to be stronger with those three players up front.
“We need all the players to show how we are going to make a big difference to last year with the points.
“But I really think we have the spirit in the dressing room and I am very happy because I am seeing the team involved in this process now.
“We are going there (to Anfield) with six points from two games. Next week is a very good match for every supporter of Arsenal .”
