Arsenal Fans Criticize Rob Holding for Winking Following Goal against Man City

Rob Holding's conduct right after scoring Arsenal's only goal against Manchester City has left Arsenal supporters irate.

On Wednesday, the Gunners were defeated by Pep Guardiola's team at the Etihad with Kevin De Bruyne as the standout player in a 4-1 win. De Bruyne scored two goals, one in each half, while John Stones and Erling Haaland also contributed to the scoreline with goals in a dominant performance.

Holding, who failed to contain Haaland, pulled one back in the 86th minute and produced a bizarre celebration that hasn't gone down well with Arsenal supporters online.

After scoring, the 27-year-old winked, which resulted in him being heavily criticized on social media.

One Twitter user wrote: "Rob Holding’s cheeky wink after scoring a conciliation goal despite being absolutely ragged all night and costing us a title decider. You genuinely can’t make this shit up."

A second tweeted: "Rob Holding got slaughtered by Haaland, got turned time and again and has the audacity to wink after he makes the score 3-1. And we are competing for the title with this bozo. Stupid footballer."

A third added: "I want to meet Rob Holding face to face and ask him what that wink was for after the conciliation goal."

A fourth said: "The cheek on Rob Holding to wink after getting ploughed by Haaland and KDB for 80 minutes prior to that is unreal."

Another commented: "Rob holding wink might be the end of me. How can he do that. Na that’s just..."

This season, Holding has participated in 15 league games and has been serving as a replacement for William Saliba, who may not be able to play for the remainder of the season.

But talkSPORT's Jason Cundy has defended the former Bolton player's performance, refusing to pin the blame on just him.

"No, no, no, no, no, to blame one person," he said. "What’s happened to Partey? What’s happened to Saka? Yes, point that finger, but make sure you point it in another direction. I don’t doubt that the Saliba miss is huge. I buy that.

"So, is it Holding’s fault that Ramsdale gives the ball away against Southampton in the first minute? Is it Holding’s fault that Rice dispossessed at the edge of the box at West Ham and Gabriel goes in and does a rugby tackle? Is it his fault? No, there’s more to this."