Arsenal: How can Ainsley Maitland-Niles make progress?

Ainsley Maitland-Niles is starting at right-back in Hector Bellerin’s stead. But when Bellerin returns, how can the Arsenal prospect progress?

If you were to build the skill set that a modern-day footballer requires to excel, you might end up with a player like versatile Arsenal man, Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

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He might not have the prototypical, strapping size that you might want, but there is very little else that is not capable of. Exceptionally quick, terrific stamina and athleticism, he pairs this with great skill, composure on the ball, good technique in his passing, first touch and dribbling. He is also an able tackler, has the speed to bail him out of difficulty when defending, and is stronger on the ball than his slight frame might belie.

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At present, Maitland-Niles is starting at right-back for the Gunners. Hector Bellerin, the number one at the position, is not expected to be fit until late-September, recovering from a torn ACL he suffered midway through last season. And while the English hopeful is not a natural full-back, his much-lauded skill set is well suited to the position. In fact, some have suggested that Maitland-Niles’ best position will be full-back, despite developing as a central midfielder and self-proclaiming that he is best as a winger.

When Bellerin returns from injury, Maitland-Niles will drop to the bench. That has become his usual role in north London. His versatility is a testament to his well-rounded, modern-day skill set. It provides him with game time, Unai Emery — and Arsene Wenger before him — using him to plug holes at a variety of positions. But it may also be his downfall, because, as long as he is being used a depth piece, he will struggle to progress as a player.

Maitland-Niles’ potential is enormous. Given that he satisfies many of the traits a modern footballer requires, it is easy to see a path in which he fulfils his potential and develops into a regular starter for a top-six team, potentially as a surging box-to-box central midfielder, or at full-back. But if he is not playing, such an ideal scenario is not remotely plausible.

As is much discussed in regards to young prospects who are just breaking into the senior squad, the same goes for Maitland-Niles who has been around the first team for a little longer but is yet to establish a starting role for himself. If he is to ever wholly fulfil his potential, he needs to master a position, and to master a position, he needs to be starting in a position on a weekly basis.

So when Bellerin returns to the squad and retakes his starting role, as he surely will later this autumn, what happens to Maitland-Niles? The obvious consequence is that he drops back to the bench and fills in when needed, likely in the Europa League and domestic cup competitions.

If that is the case, how can the now 22-year-old ever grow and improve and maybe fulfil his potential? He has the ideal skill set for the modern game, but at present, he lacks the opportunity to prove it.