Ainsley Maitland-Niles has returned to training with Arsenal for pre-season but isn’t believed to be a part of the manager’s plans ahead of the new campaign.
The 24 year-old spent last season on loan with Roma, but failed to convince Jose Mourinho that he was worthy of a regular first-team role, picking up just eight Serie A appearances last term.
He has since returned to north London and has joined up with the rest of the Arsenal squad for pre-season, but with him not being a part of Mikel Arteta’s plans for the new season, he remains one who is likely to be sold on this summer.
There hasn’t been much noise surrounding interest in his signature however, and CaughtOffside has claimed that he will need to lower his wage demands if he is to secure a move so he can play regular first-team football.
He has struggled for first-team football in recent seasons, with some question marks remaining concerning his best position with Mikel Arteta favouring him in a full-back or wing-back role, while he seems to prefer playing in central midfield.
Either way, he isn’t needed at Arsenal going into the new season, and he should simply bite the bullet and lower his demands in order to secure more playing time, as staying on with the top clubs doesn’t seem to be helping him to fulfil his potential at present.
Could he be silly enough to run down the final year of his contract whilst not playing in order to try and secure the best pay package next summer, or will he now be craving more playing time and do the right thing in order to achieve that?
Patrick
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I would rather have him at RB than Cedric.
Younger, homegrown, lower wages.. And he’s quite okay when he gets to play. But he’s very underwhelming as a midfielder..
The day he accepts that no manager seems to want to play him as a midfielder, is the day he will be successful in his career.
I’d play as a ballboy if they gave me those wages!
I’ve always rated Ainsley Maitland-Niles. He could develope into a versatile player, if he plays more regularly. If he stays at Arsenal, it would be okay with me. Ateta should try to get the best out of him. Ainsley Maitland-Niles has fine potentials and is IMO a skilful player with good technique.
@Websurfer, how else do you want test or give Maitland-Niles game time, he’s played with westbrom, Roma and Arsenal, yet he’s not been consistent,
I think he’s just been stubborn, the day he accepts the RB role wholeheartedly, he’s progress begins.
While he is most effective as a right wing back, he is not of the quality we need if we are to make the top four.A few seasons ago, Wolves were, apparently, prepared to pay 20m for AMN, although I never saw any evidence to support such an assertion.As it is ,I doubt if we would get more than 5m for him now but I do hope he gets the move he needs to ignite his career.
Overpaying for average talent unfortunately is a reoccurring theme at Arsenal. Too many players are convinced they are worth the wages Arsenal pay, when in reality many teams will not match their high wages.
I hope Arteta remains firm’s and consistent with ALL players who don’t fall in line. If not the carrot, then give them the stick.
Far too often players down tools and we give in and release them, so now Torreira tries his hand at this game, and Bellerin seems unmoving in his desire for Real Betis.
We have Bellerin who has eyes for Real Betis and little else, and AMN who has eyes for the midfield and little else.
An unenviable position for Arteta to be in, but has to find a way to showcase AMN to sell him, and convince Bellerin to move on.
Offer both the chance to buy out their remaining contracts, choose an offer received by the club, or drop them like Ozil.
Arteta must not relent now and give in to their posturing, but rather treat them like Ozil and Auba. End the freebies and try the carrot or use the stick.
Durand, given that I much agree with your take, and that MA does as you suggest by being firm with players, I do not understand WHY you are so firmly against him, as all your posts tell us!
I’m not against Arteta Jon, perhaps my criticism is seen as unfair or harsh?
I assure you I was equally as critical of Wenger for his tactical failures and overindulgence of certain players; Ramsey, Walcott, Ozil, Debuchey, and others.
That’s why I hope Arteta takes a more firm and tough stance, less of a father figure and more of an employer.
I was far far more critical of Emery and even felt he mislead the club in his hiring. He said the following which I will never forget
1. His intention to “play direct attacking football”
2. He would “rather win 5-4 than 1-0.”
His negative philosophy, fielding 7 defensive players, even Torreira as a CAM to retain a defensive first posture shows his statements to be false and misleading.
Never Wenger nor Emery showed any intention to adapt or change, and that stubborn refusal or inability to evolve resulted in their removal.
I criticize that same stubbornness in Arteta; his Artetaball simply cannot compete no matter how many new players he brings.
His success is Arsenal’s success, but his failures are not necessarily Arsenal’s. I hope he has learned tactically and evolves away from his negative philosophy, and believes a solid DM is worth more than the entire front 3 constantly defending and out of attacking positions.
I am just critical of how standards/expectations have dropped, rather than hiring a manager to maintain those set during Wenger.
I believe we can compete for top 4 this year, but if we fall short again, 3 1/2 years is enough. It’s 1 1/2 more than Wenger received, and slightly more than double what Emery did, with a far superior CV.
I’m not against Arteta, merely for Arsenal first. Wenger had to go (several years too late) and certainly Emery as well. Arteta should not escape accountability either, having spent vastly more than the previous 2 managers in their time out of CL.
I think over paying on wages has been our strategy since the Emirates Era.. Spend little on transfer fee by signing up and coming talent then pay them high wages as promise of CL football..
This is so difficult every club/manager. Especially when that manager was not involved in bringing that player in. Do you bench them (Does no body any good) or do you let them leave (For as much as you can get)? Player power is the problem. Take a look at Ronaldo @ Manure right now as an example. An individual who has been at the very top for years and has given so much back (in terms of goals) but now wants out because he has lost interest after one year. This by the way, is the club that made him who he is today. Managers and clubs need to be protected. Maybe one day all players will be paid on performance. That way they will only be paid based on what they invest. We have invested so much time and effort into AMN and he has had the chances to prove himself but failed and, paying silly wages has simply caused more problems. I don’t pretend or claim to have the answer but I would suggest that FIFA/UEFA etc. should integrate a structure for “fair pay” just as they did for spending limits with FFP! Maybe players will really start earing a crust with dedication and commitment?
The lad has the option to”honor his contract “too just like the 350k fella. Why so much noise when that fella enjoyed his wages for the precious little he did? The few remnants of the old regime, once all are gone then we start as a real disciplined club with our magnificent manager at the helm. Till then, moan and groan.
Aubemeyang, according to MA, was worth his £350k and that’s why he offered him the contract, a player from the old regime.
Our magnificent manager should have learnt from the other “fella’s” contract, but he didn’t.
Then we have the £100k five year contract awarded to Nketiah, another player from the old regime who our magnificent manager has given his stamp of approval to, along with Xhaka and Elneny.
Salibas is being offered a new contract and, would you Adam and Eve it, yet another old regime player.
Tack on Xaka, ESR, Tierney and all the other Hale End and our magnificent manager has certainly rated a lot of players he inherited and, it seems, he has no intention of cutting of his nose to spite his face…. unlike certain fans who keep on moaning and groaning about certain players of the old regime’s, without thinking about what our magnificent manager has done – he’s recognised what talent he inherited!!
Mind you, most sensible and realistic supporters knew that anyway, as he won the fa cup and the CS with those “undisciplined” players.
@ken1945
RealTalk…👍🏾
My favorite… He had been playing the best. There is more best in him. Coach should try and bring out the best in him.