Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Aston Villa: 5 key players to watch – The relentless Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

By Andrew Dowdeswell

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal FC at St. James Park on August 11, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal FC at St. James Park on August 11, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 01: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur battles for possession with Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on September 01, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 01: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur battles for possession with Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on September 01, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

2. Ainsley Maitland-Niles

This week, Ainsley Maitland-Niles ruffled a few feathers. Speaking with Sky Sports, the 22-year-old said that he is not a defender, is still learning how to defend after growing up as a midfielder, and is trying to block out the criticism of his lack of defensive nous from fans and the media. It might not be the wisest thing to say in public.

On Sunday, Maitland-Niles will be back in the defence, filling in for Hector Bellerin at right-back. His job should be more of an offensive one, like Sead Kolasinac on the opposite flank. He has performed admirably in Bellerin’s stead but clearly lacks the natural defensive instincts and understanding of the Spaniard.

So, with Bellerin set to return in the coming weeks, depending on his recovery from his ACL tear progresses, Maitland-Niles is fighting for a place in the team, either in an attempt to displace the presumed starter at right-back or to push into the midfield thinking. At present, it seems as though that is unlikely, but with two or three good performances in a row, it is not completely inconceivable. He certainly has the talent.