Arsenal: Ainsley Maitland-Niles “challenge” lacks teeth

Arsenal yet again deployed Ainsley Maitland-Niles as a wing back, but Arsene Wenger is adamant that the yougster is coming for the first team. Do you believe him?

Arsenal’s entire starting XI was looking in a bit of a funk against Norwich City. It may just be a case of this hodge-podge of youth and experience learning how to play play together, because there is plenty of talent there that going flat shouldn’t be a problem.

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It was even a bit of a let down from Red Star Belgrade, which went scoreless into the 85th minute. At least in Serbia, we had players that were trying things. Ainsley Maitland-Niles was one of those guys.

He was not one of those guys against Norwich. In fact, he was pretty bad. He showed good infiltration to get into the box, but his final ball was critically lacking. Not to mention his questionable decision-making.

This all came on the back of a rather audacious attempt by Arsene Wenger to stir up a little added urgency.

Prior to the match, Le Prof spoke up about Maitland-Niles, and about his preferred position, among other things. Here are his words, as quoted by the Metro:

"He can play on the flanks without any problem because he has pace, he’s an intelligent boy and I think he needs to add that little bit of extra force for 90 minutes. But he’s so comfortable on the ball, so quick, so good and can steal the ball too."

All of this is easy to agree with. If there is one thing Maitland-Niles is, it’s comfortable. Sometimes to a fault. Wenger went on:

"He can also play central midfield, but I must say that he’s close now to being a regular in the first team as well. ‘I would be on my toes if I was a regular player in the Arsenal first team. ‘His preferred position is central midfield and that’s where I believe he will end up.More from Pain in the Arsenal3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victoryArsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park"

It’s all well and good. I appreciate what he is trying to do. But there aren’t any teeth in this challenge. Barring some drastic changes, nothing in that midfield set-up is going anywhere. He can’t even get into the central midfield of the rotational squad, which is what I find truly baffling, especially after seeing Francis Coquelin‘s display against the Canaries.

Maitland-Niles belongs in the center of the midfield, but with Aaron Ramsey currently one of our best players this year and Granit Xhaka tucked in next to him, there’s nowhere to go. Then there is the matter of Jack Wilshere coming back too.

Maitland-Niles would be more of Ramsey-type, that pushes forward, and if anyone between the Ramsey/Xhaka pairing is going to be swapped out, it’s Xhaka, but even he has fixed his subpar play as of late.

He doesn’t fit. Even moving forward he doesn’t. Now I’m worried that Wenger won’t pursue someone like Leon Goretzka when the opportunity is there. All to give Maitland-Niles a chance.

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Who knows. It’s a cute sentiment from Wenger but I can’t see how anything would come of it.