England midfielder Jack Wilshere has backed Arsenal's new kid on the block Rob Holding to become a mainstay with the Gunners despite a debut to forget.
Holding, 20, joined Arsenal from Bolton Wanderers in the summer and was thrown into the deep end against Liverpool in their opening game of the 2016-17 season due to injuries to Gabriel, Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny.
The Gunners lost 4-3 at home but Wilshere refused to put the blame on Holding and the defenders, even going as far as to praise the talented youngster for settling in well at the club.
"I think if you look on the pitch, he doesn't look out of his comfort zone," Wilshere told the official Arsenal website.
"He is a natural, he is confident on the ball and he wants to play and I think that is the Arsenal way. He is a great addition to the squad and one for the future as well.
"He's only 20 years old and he's come down from Bolton on his own, so he has to get used to living in London. That's why I have been talking to him, to help him settle.
"We've had boys like that come here before in Calum [Chambers] and Alex [Oxlade-Chamberlain], though. They've all settled in well and have improved as players as well as people.
"He's a good lad. I'm sure he is one for the future and can improve his game this year."
Holding will likely keep his place in Arsene Wenger's starting lineup for Sunday's clash away to defending champions Leicester City.
Both teams will be searching for their first points of the season after the Foxes suffered a shock 2-1 loss away to Hull City on opening day.