Arsenal defender Rob Holding is ready to declare himself fully fit following his 10-month injury hell to leave creaky centre-half pairing Sokratis and David Luiz in jeopardy.

Holding hasn't featured for the Gunners since suffering a serious knee injury playing against Manchester United in December.

But the central defender is hopeful of playing some part in Thursday's Europa League opener against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Arsenal's Rob Holding, seen in August, will declare himself fully fit after a 10-month absence

Holding has made a number of outings for the Under 23's side since the start of the season

After a number of outings for the Under 23's since the start of the season, the former Bolton Wanderers central defender believes he is finally ready to make his first-team return, news which will come as a major boost to manager Unai Emery following their capitulation against Watford on Sunday where they squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2.

Holding's pending return leaves Sokratis or Luiz in danger of losing their place in the starting XI, particularly following their horror show against the Hornets.

Greece international Sokratis has established himself as a regular under Emery but was at fault for Watford's first goal on Sunday, a mistake for which he has since publicly apologised.

Similarly, Luiz's performances since his shock arrival from Chelsea on transfer deadline day have come under scrutiny, the Brazil defender's ill-judged challenge on Roberto Pereyra on Sunday providing Quique Sanchez Flores' side with their vital equalising penalty.

Holding (L) is hopeful of playing a part in Thursday's Europa League game against Frankfurt

It was the second penalty Luiz has conceded for Arsenal in just four appearances for the club.

Sportsmail understands Emery has not offered Holding any guarantees about his position in the central defensive pecking order.

But Holding played a key role for the Arsenal boss before his cruciate ligament injury last season. The Gunners did not lose one of the 16 games the 23-year-old played before disaster struck at Old Trafford on December 5.

Arsenal's strategy to build from the back from goal kicks has caused the Gunners problems in recent weeks, with the players having difficulty in adapting to the tactic.

Emery has utilised the ploy to take advantage of a law change that was introduced at the start of the season that allows defenders to take the ball from inside their own box at goal kicks.

Sokratis and David Luiz suffered a disappointing display in the draw at Watford on Sunday

Sokratis' attempted pass to Matteo Guendouzi at Vicarage Road, while parallel to his six-yard box, was intercepted by Gerard Deulofeu allowing Tom Cleverley to score.

And Sportsmail understands figures at the club's London Colney base are not convinced the strategy works, while there are also concerns the team is not compact enough thus making it easier for opposition to break them down.

Speaking after Sunday's draw, Watford midfielder Cleverley said: 'I feel like we were well organised from their goal kicks.

'It is something we worked on all week. We weren't surprised they tried to play like that.

'It was just more of a surprise they didn't adapt during the game and they were pretty stubborn with it.'