Arsenal defender close to comeback after long-term injury

Arsenal defender Rob Holding could make his first-team comeback against Watford shortly after the first international break of the season.

The centre-back has been sidelined for the past nine months following a cruciate ligament injury but he has recently made the comeback with the developmental side.

Holding has already featured in a few Under 23 games for the Gunners and he is now scheduled to play through the entire 90 minutes against the Everton Under 23s, The Mail claims.

Still, he is not expected to feature against Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur before the international break and the Watford game on September 15 has been earmarked as a suitable return date.

Holding is expected to compete with David Luiz, Sokratis and Calum Chambers for the central defensive role. The other centre-back in Shkodran Mustafi appears set to part ways with the Gunners this summer.

Mustafi, who has been ignored for the opening two league games of the season, seems on course to join AS Roma on an initial loan with the option to buy for around £20m next summer.