Kevin Campbell has praised Ainsley Maitland-Niles for his performance against Watford just before the international break and tips him to earn a new Arsenal contract soon.
The midfielder had wanted to leave the Emirates in the summer, but Mikel Arteta convinced him to stay and promised he would have a role in the team.
His performance against Watford means he is pushing for regular starts and he could be handed more of them as the season continues.
Campbell believes if he keeps his form, Arsenal will give him a contract extension.
The former Gunner said to Football Insider: “A new contract is a definite possibility.
“Every time Maitland-Niles comes into the team now he looks focused. There has been no lapses in his performances. He has done the job.
“I was very impressed with him on Sunday. There were two or three players who could have got man of the match and he was one of them. He was brilliant.
“It was a new partnership in midfield to start the game. Both Maitland-Niles and Lokonga did really well.
“Maitland-Niles has great energy and he can play. I hope it continues. We need as many home-grown players at the club as possible.”
Just Arsenal Opinion
Maitland-Niles is yet another good example that Arteta knows the players who can deliver for him.
He was right to have ignored the interest from Everton in the summer, and Maitland Niles is repaying him for that.
When Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny leaves for AFCON at the start of next year, Arsenal would have no need to sign a new midfielder.
His partnership with Albert Sambi Lokonga passed their audition with flying colours against Watford, and that is a major positive.
Amn on pens bro. Make it happen.
He would be stupid to stay, I just feel like his career has never started really at AFC.
AMN will continue to Prosper in that midfield position!
He only needs more Game experience in the Role! Hopefully with Mohammed Elneny and Thomas Partey going for the AFCON, he will gain it!
So happy for him!
It is sad that he had to wait so much time and partey+xhaka injuries to get a full game under his belt in the prem. He is younger than them, arsenal grown and “homegrown”. I always thought arsenal would be better sticking with him even when most were saying the contrary. The league cup showed he could line up against phillips and looks very good. Last game thanks to injury, he produced a MOTM. He is now on the rails, for me arteta has to play him ahead of sambi for at least a few games (which is 21 and under 5 more years of contract.) Then, well have a better glimpse about if the last games were exception or are testimony of his new capabilities.
I do not know whether or not CAMPBELL WILL PROVE RIGHT ABOUT AMN.
My question to JA Admins is this;” WHY are CAMPBELL and his many opinions so regularly the subject of articles?
They are all his opinions and he has a perfect right to them. I do not deny that, BUT why are HIS opinions – bearing in mind he was not a special player nor even approaching a “legend” – considered to be more important or newsworthy than anyones elses who are regulars or even occasional posters on this site? Anyone know why?
He is not part of the clubs coaching team and is “merely ” a fan, but one who used to play for us around thirty years ago.
Therefore, so what?
Sorry Jon, please supply a list of acceptable ex players we can quote…..
And don’t forget Jon, players never seem to tell the truth – if it doesn’t fit one’s own views of course.
I have to agree that Kevin seems to be saying an awful lot lately and a legend he never was!!!