Arsenal: Mikel Arteta hails Rob Holding for his decisive role in hard-fought win at Wolves

Mikel Arteta has hailed Rob Holding for his decisive role in Arsenal's crucial, hard-fought 1-0 victory against Wolves last night.

The defender was introduced shortly after Gabriel Martinelli was sent off following two yellow cards just seconds apart, and ensured the visitors kept a clean sheet.

Holding was on hand to repel a host of attacks from the home side during the second half and after the game, his manager reserved special praise for him.

Arteta even believes the triumph was largely down to the centre back's heroics.

'Today he deserves a lot of credit,' Arteta said in his post-match press conference.

'He was on the bench, he was ready to help.

'His attitude, his commitment to the team whether he plays every week or plays one minute, it's incredibly good. He's a really good influence for the rest.

'Today he really helped the team, the way he defended the box made a huge difference. Thanks to him we won the game.'

Gabriel Magalhaes scored the only goal of the game in the first half after tapping home Alexandre Lacazette's neat flick inside the penalty area.

Their hard work may have been undone, however, after forward Martinelli's dismissal.

Michael Oliver brandished his red card after the player blocked a throw-in and then fouled Ruben Semedo, with the sending-off leaving Arsenal fans infuriated.

But Holding stepped into the breach, and Martin Keown believes the decision to bring on the former Bolton man to see out the showdown was 'smart'.

'It was a smart move to bring on Rob Holding,' club legend Keown said on BT Sport.

'Every time he's come on he's really performed well and they saw it through. That's the important thing.'