Arsenal: Ainsley Maitland-Niles shows pitfalls and potential

Ainsley Maitland-Niles struggled greatly and then flourished against Manchester United on Sunday. The Arsenal youngster showed both his pitfalls and his potential.

One of the players that I was most excited to see this season at Arsenal under Unai Emery was Ainsley Maitland-Niles. The young midfielder was talked up by Emery in the summer, was coming off a blossoming 2017/18 season, and was seemingly set for a breakout year in the starting XI. Sadly, it has not quite panned out like that.

Find the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal Podcast here — Rubbish Rennes, Article of the Week

Thanks to injuries and some inconsistencies, Maitland-Niles has continued to show the same potential that he has done in previous seasons, but never really took the next step to establish himself as an unchallenged starter. There have still been plenty of bright spots, but finding his way into the team on a regular basis in the same position has been difficult.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

In Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Manchester United, Maitland-Niles showed off all of the pitfalls and potential of his development in one 90-minute performance. It was as if his whole season was embodied in one display.

At first, the 21-year-old struggled mightily. Largely up against Luke Shaw, his inexperience was abused by the England international. Shaw bypassed Maitland-Niles time and time again, whipping in a dangerous cross for Romelu Lukaku after playing a one-two around his opposite number, and held the Arsenal man in check at the other end, rarely beaten in one-on-ones.

It was a rough first half for Maitland-Niles. Almost all of Man. United’s threat came down his flank and they were increasingly looking to target him. I was worried for him ahead of the second half.

But if the first 45 minutes highlighted his pitfalls, his complacency in possession, his positional naivety, the ease at which he is sometimes beaten when defending, the second 45 beautifully demonstrated all of the qualities as to why he is so highly regarded among Arsenal circles, especially by Emery himself.

Indeed, Maitland-Niles’ performance led Garth Crooks to say the following:

"“I’ve seen Ainsley Maitland-Niles play in big games before and struggle but not on this occasion. His performance against a leggy Manchester United showed signs of a player maturing nicely. He looked solid in defence and always very composed on the ball.”"

What was so impressive about his second-half display was not the skill set — dogged one-on-one defending, terrific timing in slide tackles, composure and cleverness on the ball, exceptional athleticism and stamina to keep motoring throughout the whole match — that he displayed, although that in and of itself was mighty. It was the character to bounce back from a difficult first period.

And that is why, I believe, he is touted for great things, and why I am a supporter of such touting. He is a young player of great character, resolve, work ethic and temperament. Not only does he have the talent, but he also has the tools to unlock that talent. There are pitfalls, yes, but there is also great potential, and it was all on display on Sunday.