Arsenal: So, has Ainsley Maitland-Niles chosen his position?

Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ versatility is a great skill. But he must also choose a position. The Arsenal youngster, in a recent, interview, may have chosen one.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles is a uniquely gifted individual. Usually, a young player has almost exclusively played in one or two positions with one or two styles. They are not very versatile, they are usually specifically designed for a certain role, they often lack the positional awareness and intelligence to play all over the pitch.

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But that is very much not the case for Arsenal youth product, Maitland-Niles. His greatest skill is his ability to play in almost any position. It is a testament to both his understanding and athleticism that he boasts such versatility.

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However, as I have protested many times before, this versatility could become a vice, if not managed carefully. As plenty of positionally flexible youngsters have discovered before, it is easy to fall between the gaps without specialising in one or two positions, never quite becoming a full-time starter as a result.

In a recent interview with Football.London, though, Maitland-Niles speaks as if he has picked his position:

"“I’m still adapting to [the position] but the manager and coaching staff are helping me a lot at the moment. My best qualities are going forward, creating. I’ve spoken to the manager and he seems to think the same as me. When Hector comes back maybe it’ll be a good challenge for me and him. It all depends on how he comes back. Hector is a fantastic player and I wouldn’t want to force anybody out of the team, it’s more about healthy competition with him.”"

Right-back is where I have envisaged his best position being, even if he did grow up as a midfielder and has largely been thought of as a midfielder throughout his development. And it seems as if Maitland-Niles has also come to this conclusion, along with head coach Unai Emery.

Obviously, Hector Bellerin is the incumbent starter. He has been ever since he broke into the first team, and his performances this season have done nothing to suggest that that should change when he returns from injury next year, assuming everything goes smoothly with his rehabilitation. There is no guarantee that Maitland-Niles will be able to displace the Spaniard.

But if his showings at right wing-back against Manchester United and Rennes are anything to go by, the 21-year-old is sure to push his teammate for a starting role. And even if he is unable to beat out Bellerin next season, he will be setting himself up for an extended career by specialising in one position.

Whether right-back is indeed the right position to focus on, only time will tell. Maitland-Niles previously stated that he felt right wing was his best role. And before that, he always testified to being a central midfielder. But perhaps he has now finally chosen his position, and that is no bad thing whatsoever.