Arsenal: Ainsley Maitland-Niles future is Granit Xhaka’s fear

Ainsley Maitland-Niles is establishing himself in the Arsenal senior squad. His future, though, should lie in midfield as Granit Xhaka’s replacement.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles is beginning to prove himself as a major member of the Arsenal senior squad. The youngster has started the last three Premier League games in Sead Kolasinac’s stead, including last Friday’s draw with Liverpool when he was up against one of the most prolific and potent wingers in the country, Mohamed Salah.

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And in all three games, Maitland-Niles has displayed an ability to play at a decent level. He was especially good against Newcastle United, and even when defending Salah, he acquitted himself dutifully. Arsene Wenger, before the Liverpool draw, heralded Maitland-Niles’ ability, boldly proclaiming that he is the future of the team:

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"“I believe he is the future. He can play left back, right back, central midfield. Of the three positions, maybe the least natural for him is left back, but he adapts very quickly and is a good defender. He’s a good character. Sometimes he lacked a little bit of belief in his own qualities but he has top defensive qualities as well. Sometimes he plays a little bit with the handbrake on and you think that there’s more in this guy than what he shows, and that he plays inhibited. Slowly I hope I’ve pushed him to get a bit more out on the other side of the game.”"

He also discusses the position that Maitland-Niles’ future should be shaped in: central midfield. Given the relative strengths of Maitland-Niles, and the shortcomings of Granit Xhaka, it does not spell out all that well for the Swiss’ future.

Maitland-Niles is an extremely sharp and ratty player. He bites into tackles, he nips away at opposing ankles. He is an annoyance because of his relentless nature. And that is exactly what Xhaka is not.

Xhaka struggles when the game is quick and sharp. His immobility means that he is outmanoeuvred easily, with opposing teams able to play around him without too much trouble. The fluid, speedy passing triangles, the driving surging runs from deep, the movement and the mobility. They all cause great trouble for Xhaka.

He also has trouble against counter-attacks. When there is vast space to cover against sweeping attacks, he can be exploited, to a painful extent. In contrast, Maitland-Niles has the athleticism and the speed to deal with the quick breaks of opposing teams.

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Maitland-Niles may not be ready to play in midfield currently. He has only made three Premier League starts, all coming at the far less-pressured and intense left-back position. But his future lies centrally and it should spell trouble for Xhaka, even if Wenger may disagree.