Arsenal: Ainsley Maitland-Niles has more to offer than Jack Wilshere

Arsenal’s midfield is a carousel of moving parts, but Ainsley Maitland-Niles can offer more than Jack Wilshere, for what that’s worth.

Arsenal’s midfield is a point of concern, more just because of the lack of able bodies they have there. Not many are available and with Jack Wilshere likely to depart, that makes even less available.

There is all this talk, some of which I’ve been perpetuated, as to who can come in to replace Wilshere, as a replacement is surely needed. But that replacement doesn’t have to be from an external source.

I don’t know why I haven’t put this together earlier, but if we are serious about letting Ainsley Maitland-Niles play central midfield, then it would be a direct slap in the face to take this opportunity – his opportunity – and one that could solidify his frustrations/fate elsewhere.

It’s so much of an opportunity, that it is conceivable that Maitland-Niles could be a contributing factor to Wilshere’s potential exit. When you look at what the two offer, the tables have turned massively in the favor of the younger option.

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Maitland-Niles has superior athleticism, superior speed, superior defensive abilities and superior upside. None of which can be argued. They are all facts. He also has a better injury track record, for what that’s worth.

The only thing Wilshere has more of is a star factor. He can make magical things happen. He is also a better passer than Maitland-Niles, but it’s not like the gulf in their passing is that wide. And the star factor could easily come to Maitland-Niles if he is just given the chance to do so.

Wilshere had the upper hand in protecting possession, but that has since faltered a bit as of this year, as he had some appearances where he couldn’t keep possession to save his life.

If you were to ask me which one I’d rather keep – and I do think there is an immediate correlation – I would say Maitland-Niles, without a shadow of a doubt. The upside, the athleticism, the coolness in possession, the very type of player that he is, just offers so much more than a fading, frustrated Wilshere, both in the future and in the present.

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Time will tell what the verdict is. Emery may not even be considering Maitland-Niles as a central midfield option, but given how in-depth he was with his assessment of the club, I have to believe that he is.

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