There were a number of notable performances in Arsenal’s win at Wolves. While Bukayo Saka, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette deserved the headlines, one player who impressed in a limited role was Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
The 22-year-old product of the Arsenal Academy replaced Kieran Tierney in ’56.th minute and was tasked with containing the Wolves’ dangerous winger, Adama Traore, who was causing major problems at halftime. He did exactly that – shut it down and then received a lot of (deserved) praise from Arsenal fans on Twitter.
I recall the bad thing I said about Ainsley Maitland-Niles when asked about his best position. Kid has demonstrated the will, determination and effort to be a team player. I am ecstatic to be wrong. It shows how great Arteta’s influence is on young people. Love it.
– Inveterate Recalcitrant (@ TWRuble14) July 5, 2020
I know that is not his natural position, but if Ainsley Maitland-Niles accepts his new role as full backing, he may play an important role in Arsenals’ future. He proved his worth as a fullback this season, allowing our wingers to thrive in the process. It is definitely worth staying if you adapt. pic.twitter.com/3p3uP3Tl6z
– Pépé is a ⚪️ (@NotYourWinger) July 4, 2020
Now it will be interesting to see if Maitland-Niles stays at Arsenal or if he is sold. Before the stoppage in the game, he had fallen out of favor with Mikel Arteta for being late to training multiple times. He lost his place in the squad, and the manager warned him that he needed to work harder to get back on the team. It was never actually a return attempt and Maitland-Niles allegedly did not want to play there, which was a false track.
In March, Arteta was asked to explain why Maitland-Niles had not appeared for the Gunners in recent weeks. He said, “Ainsley needs to lower his head and work hard, show me every day in training that he wants him more than anyone, wants to play for this club and fight for his place.”
When play resumed last month, reports were circulating that the player was considered expendable and Arsenal was looking to sell him to help finance a new contract for Aubameyang.
Since the restart, Maitland-Niles has come on as a substitute for the second half in three league games and played the full 90 minutes of the Gunners FA 2-1 Cup victory in Sheffield
In a recent interview with The Mirror, Maitland-Niles expressed her desire to be part of Arsenal’s new generation of local talents. This group includes Saka, Reiss Nelson, Joe Willock, Eddie Nketiah, and Emile Smith-Rowe.
He explained his commitment to the club and the manager.
I don’t mind what people label me because I think management knows itself. OK, I was late, maybe once during this manager’s time. It was a mistake, I spoke to the manager, raised my hands and took the consequences.
Maitland-Niles insists that he is happy to play wherever Arteta calls him:
I would play back every week if I had to. I am not really worried. The main thing is to be there with the team and help them win games. If the manager says’ Ains you have to go to the goal this game, I will put on the gloves and I’m ready for rock and roll.
Regarding previous reports that he is reluctant to play on the right, Maitland-Niles added:
That’s where some people may have misjudged what I said earlier in a different interview. Obviously, I prefer to play in the central midfield, but that does not mean that I do not want to play back or that I will not do the job there if the coach asks me to.
So what do you think of Maitland-Niles? Do you have a future at the club or should it be sold to raise funds to sign other players?
