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From the latest transfer news, quizzes, videos, features and interviews with the biggest names in the game, plus lots more.Signup +Once a week...And its LIVE!Sign up to our FREE live football newsletter, tracking all of the biggest games available to watch on the device of your choice. Never miss a kick-off!Signup +Join the clubGet full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in.Subscribe to our newsletterWhen Rob Holding walked at Wembley for the 2017 FA Cup final, the Arsenal defender was just 21 years old and was tasked with taking on one of European footballs trickiest customers in Diego Costa.Holding had arrived at Arsenal at the start of that season when he joined from Bolton Wanderers in a �2million move and quickly established himself in the Gunners first-team squad and earned the praise of his boss Arsene Wenger.Coming at the end of Holdings first season with the Gunners, the Wembley final against Chelsea presented a fresh challenge for the young centre-back. You may like Dan Burn reflects on Newcastles cup final victory one year on, in exclusive chat with FFT 'His eyes have changed. You know when someone has that look, its over' Thierry Henry pinpoints key mentality switch that's turned Arsenal star into a 'winner' My whole life flashed through my mind when I went up to take my penalty in the Champions League final. There was no margin for error Nani on what it meant step up during the 2008 Champions League final shootout Rob Holding on going up against Diego CostaFor the previous two seasons, Costa had established himself as one of the Premier Leagues best - and most fiery - strikers, who was as adept at unsettling defenders as he was at scoring goals.Wenger gave Holding the nod in a three-man Arsenal defence alongside the more experienced duo of Nacho Monreal and skipper Per Mertesacker.Get VIP Arsenal tickets HERE with Seat Unique!Arsenal's premium Club Level tickets offer superb padded seating and access to the lounge two-and-a-half hours pre-match. The package includes four drinks, one food item, and a half-time complimentary drink. Guests also receive a �5 merchandise voucher and a complimentary Museum Tour, ensuring an elevated and comprehensive matchday experience for home supporters.View DealBut far from being the weak link in the backline, Holding gave as good as he got.I knew what Costa was like, the former England U21 star tells FourFourTwo. He wanted to throw you off your game.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Costa quickly attempted to do just that. At one point he jumped on the floor and pulled me down with him, and then kicked out.There was plenty more to come, including one of the more iconic images from Arsenals 2-1 victory, which came courtesy of an Aaron Ramsey winner, which came shortly after Costa had cancelled out Alexis Sanchezs early opener.Obviously, there is the famous image of me pointing at my head saying, Youre a nutter, youre crazy, Holding recalls.But then I just got back into my position. There was actually a nice little moment towards the end of the game where I blocked one of his shots and he tapped me on the chest.I think that was a little bit of respect, which was cool. He was a great goalscorer, but just a bit of an agitator.It was phenomenal lifting the FA Cup.TOPICSArsenalFA CupJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromZach Lowy
