The Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hinted that there may be a chance to keep Ainsley Maitland-Niles at the club, when his loan to Southampton ends this summer. Arteta made the comment during a pre-match press conference ahead of Southampton’s visit to the Emirates. However, Maitland-Niles is ineligible to face his parent club in the upcoming game.
Maitland-Niles has been given a reasonable amount of playing time this season, despite the club’s poor form that sees them sitting at the bottom of the Premier League table and four points from safety.
The 25-year-old had struggled to secure a spot in Arsenal’s first team and has spent much of the last three seasons on loan at West Brom, Roma, and now Southampton. He has only played the whole 90 minutes in 11 league games for the Saints in this campaign and is facing an uncertain future when he returns to the Emirates in the summer.
Although Arsenal is well-stocked in both right-back and central midfield, Arteta hinted that Maitland-Niles could still have a future in his team, despite being used sparingly in recent years. Maitland-Niles is a versatile player who can play in various positions, which could be an asset to Arsenal if he is willing to simply be one of Arteta’s squad players.
Arteta spoke about Maitland-Niles time at the club when he said: ‘He was a really important part.
‘It’s a player with incredible versatility that has played in many positions. For different reasons, some personal, some professional he had to move around a lot.
‘We will discuss at the end of the season what’s best.’
The Gunners’ decision on whether to keep the former England international is yet to be seen, but Arteta’s comments suggest that the club may be willing to welcome him back and possibly extend his contract.
It is obvious Arsenal will need an even bigger squad next season to cope with all the extra fixtures, so maybe AMN could be kept on as a wildcard like Reiss Nelson and Rob Holding?
Darren N
——————————————–
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
Ainsley doesn’t appear to have improved and looks to have reached his level, which TBH doesn’t make good reading for Arsenal, which is a big disappointment, as we had such high expectations for him. I doubt that there would be room in the squad for him now, but you never can write him off completely and he must have some transfer value.
Absolutely. Bring him back.
He is a better defender than OZ allowing OZ to play in GX’s and MO’s position. More likely to remain fit than KT or Tomiyasu and can play both positions. Can definitely deputise at holding midfield. Every team needs a versatile player.
To me it is no brainer for a good all round squad player.
@Indian Gunner London
RealTalk…👍🏾
But he wanted to be a midfielder
@SueP
I think he has matured since. His role @ Southampton is testament to it.
OT: We have to get it right tonight, otherwise the title race ends. A win and a draw against City keeps us in with a fighting chance albeit a difficult one with the hope tat May is a fruitful month.
Surely MA can improve AMN with proper coaching so
he can be a reserve player if injuries occur. Only problem
is that he needs to realise and accept his role, he is not a
world class material but has physical attributes that can
help us on our path to progress as a club. If he comes back this summer he might save us one signing..
@Kjelli
👍🏾
He can play defence/midfield like Zincheko……in this case both left and right full back……he can play centre back and dm…….I say bring him back…….
He’s too lackadaisical for me, high tempo game does not suit him he seems to slow it down at his pace. I reckon he’s in the shop window and Arteta is just doing his job when speaking of his ability
All we have is Partey, and Elneny who is injured but Arteta didn’t keep him here even though we’re low on numbers as well as quality. Or Xhaka’s spot, not even considered to challenge
I remember when a reader said he was better then Kante
Remains my fave comment of all time for pure delusion