Arsenal: 3 players immediately effected by Cedric Soares signing

1. Ainsley Maitland-Niles

The most likely outcome of the Cedric Soares deal is that Hector Bellerin has gained a direct competitor. Someone to cover for his injuries and to compete with him for starting minutes. Soares is a seasoned Premier League veteran with years yet to give. He could have a huge impact on this club in providing consistency at a position that has been so ravaged by volatility lately.

But this also leaves Ainsley Maitland-Niles in a curious spot. He had been the only threat to Bellerin. He was growing into the rightback role, he was proving capable of maintaining that role, and now he’s being squeezed in by someone with far more experience and reliability. A much more traditional fullback.

So what does that mean for Maitland-Niles?

It could mean a return to the midfield. That’s surely what he hopes it means. He’s always wanted to be a central midfielder and it would seem like he has the skills to play there, he just hasn’t had the opportunity to really do so.

It can’t possibly squeeze Maitland-Niles out of a job entirely. Which is why I have to believe that Soares is either here to float between left and rightback, or he’s here to help Maitland-Niles get back into the midfield. But whatever the case, Maitland-Niles is going to be the one with the opportunity to make something of this move.