Arsenal: Ainsley Maitland-Niles Needs Solid Gameplan
By Josh Sippie
Arsenal witnessed a fantastic performance from Ainsley Maitland-Niles at another new position. This young man needs a plan!
Arsenal ran with a second-tier starting XI in the FA Cup match up against Southampton but it wasn’t a second-tier performance. The Gunners notched their biggest win of the season, running the score up to a count of 5-0.
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There were a ton of performances to highlight, mainly the attackers who provided for five beautiful goals – Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott especially.
But defensively, Rob Holding showed his maturity and, in yet another new position, Ainsley Maitland-Niles showed up, this time better than ever.
The young Englishman looked like Francis Coquelin in his ability to win the ball back but he looked like Granit Xhaka in his ability to harness the touches and control the middle of the pitch.
It was an inspiring performances from the young man, as he won the ball back nine times and was the only Gunner to register over 100 touches of the ball.
But for as inspiring as it was, I have to wonder what Maitland-Niles is projected to be. What does Wenger see in his future?
A lot of people out there think that what held Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain back was his lack of directive. No one knew what he was. He played centrally and on either wings. he even ended up at fullback in more recent times.
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Meanwhile you look at Alex Iwobi and he has played pretty consistently. There a clear game plan with Iwobi and he is sticking to that.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles takes the cake in terms of ‘what the hell is he’. He has played full back, winger and defensive midfielder this season and, while none of the positions served to fluster him, the fact that there is no directive is always going to draw unwanted parallels to the Ox.
There is always going to be a need for utility men and moving people around, especially youngsters like Maitland-Niles, gives them a good dose of experience that not everyone gets. There is no denying that.
But by the time they get to the first team, I would hope that there is some sort of idea of where he is headed. Because I have seen Maitland-Niles look solid at all three positions, all of which are incredibly different.
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There might be a plan already and we just don’t know it. It’s just odd to see a 19 year old look so solid at so many different positions. No matter where he plays, I’m sure it will breed a promising future.