DAVID Flitcroft reckons Arsenal have signed a class act in Wanderers defender Rob Holding.

Before the Tameside youngster had troubled the Bolton first team, Bury boss Flitcroft spotted his emerging talents and brought him on loan to Gigg Lane.

Holding played just once for the Shakers, who were close to securing promotion from League Two, coming on as a late substitute to see out a 2-0 win at Cambridge United.

But Flitcroft saw echoes of one of his former Barnsley charges, John Stones, in the teenager and kept a close eye on his progress after he returned to the Macron Stadium.

A few months later Holding had made his first-team bow, and the escalating financial problems forced Neil Lennon into making him a regular.

Then he helped Gareth Southgate's England's Under-21s win the Toulon Tournament in the summer.

Less than a year later and his Gunners debut on Thursday saw him come up against an MLS All-Stars side in San Jose that included world legends Kaka, Andrea Pirlo, David Villa and Didier Drogba – and he helped his new side to a 2-1 triumph.

“It’s quite incredible how it worked out for him,” Flitcroft told The Bolton News. “Bolton had their money troubles and the embargo, so Rob had to come in.

“I’m delighted he’s been able to get to that level, especially as he has gone to work with one of the best teachers in the world of football, Arsene Wenger.

“Rob was a student, a very intelligent kid, but a student of the game. I remember saying to him when he left us 'get yourself in, make sure you do your work through the summer. Make sure you get yourself strong so that when your chance comes you're ready.' And he's taken it with flying colours.”

Wanderers fans witnessed Holding’s transformation from the nervous youngster who came into a back three at Middlesbrough last August to the mature defensive presence who stood out a mile as the club slipped towards League One. So, it seems, did Arsenal.

Gunners supporters questioned Wenger’s logic in paying £2million up front for the 20-year-old, who had just 30 senior games under his belt by the time he headed for the Emirates.

It is believed the deal could more than double in size should Holding eventually help Arsenal to success or achieve full international status. A sell-on clause has also been included, which could benefit the Whites in future years.

Flitcroft appreciates Holding may have to be patient to get his Premier League chance but feels he has the right personality to listen and learn.

“You genuinely won't meet a nicer or more intelligent kid,” he said. “You can see by his elevation how quick a learner he must be.

“You want everyone you coach to be that quick learner, be a good student, and Wenger is one of the best teachers in the world, so if he listens, he’ll be fine.

“When Arsene interviewed him or got him down to the club, formally or informally, be probably saw that intelligence in Rob and that’s what convinced him to do the deal.

“I’m delighted for him, personally, and we’re delighted as a club too.”

Flitcroft had been instrumental in another England defender’s career, guiding Stones out of the youth team at Barnsley to a player who eventually moved on to stardom with Everton.

“John was a good learner,” he said. “I remember playing John as a centre-half then a wing-back. He's fabulous in either role.”

Bringing youth players through to the senior set-up is not an exact science, admits the Shakers boss, and cannot be rushed.

“John played for us at Barnsley at a young age but you have to be good enough to play,” he said. “Rob came into the Bolton team when they were struggling and you had a few others – Zach Clough, Niall Maher, Josh Vela, who were all from the same sort of age group.

“They have played games through necessity and it’s proved to be fantastic business for Bolton, probably by default.”