Arsenal: How Bukayo Saka is exposing Ainsley Maitland-Niles

Bukayo Saka has excelled at left-back, despite not being a natural fit. Ainsley Maitland-Niles, meanwhile, is a forgotten man. Arsenal’s shining youngster is exposing his older counterpart.

When Mikel Arteta took over as Arsenal head coach, he had not fit full-backs. Kieran Tierney had dislocated his shoulder, Sead Kolasinac was dealing with a muscular problem, and Hector Bellerin had strained his hamstring following his return from an ACL tear. Arteta had to get creative.

Listen to the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal podcast here! — A Winning Feeling

He turned to two young academy graduates to fill the positions, winger Bukayo Saka on the left flank and self-professed central midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles on the right. Initially, it was Maitland-Niles who commanded the headlines, his composure on the ball used brilliantly by Arteta in an inverted right-back role.

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

However, upon Bellerin’s return to fitness and starting XI, Maitland-Niles has been nowhere to be seen, including missing several matchday squads entirely and Arteta using centre-back Sokratis at right-back to rest Bellerin, despite the Greek international looking severely uncomfortable in his adopted role.

Saka, meanwhile, has continued to shine at left-back. He now has the most assists of any player in the squad, he has the most assists of any teenager in the Premier League, and he is proving what a talented young prospect he is, no matter what position he is playing in.

Earlier this season, Arteta was asked about why he enjoys working with Saka. His answer was telling, focusing on the willingness of Saka to work on his game despite playing a position that he does not see as his best or most natural:

"“He’s learning that you are able to adapt and that you are able to sacrifice for the team, and [you learn that you] don’t use excuses. If you are moved, to say ‘OK, now if I do not play good, I have the right excuse because this is not my position’. It’s the complete opposite, try to learn, try to pick things up straight away and try to be more productive for the team, and I think he [Saka] has done it really, really well.”"

It is speculation why Maitland-Niles has slipped entirely out of Arteta’s thinking despite performing so capably in those first few matches, but one possible reason could be that he, unlike Saka, has been unwilling to work and adapt to a new position that he does not view is his own. After all, Maitland-Niles has publicly stated on several occasions that right-back is not his best position. He views himself as an offensive player, a central midfielder or even a winger.

Now, whether Maitland-Niles is actually better suited to those more attacking positions or full-back is fair to debate. There is good reason to think that he is more capable in a defensive position, not in the final third, especially given the level of his performances under Arteta. But if Maitland-Niles sees it that he is an attacking player and refuses to adapt, it would explain his sudden and mysterious absence from the squad.

It seems quite clear that Arteta is ready to move on from Maitland-Niles. Whereas, on the opposite flank, Saka is flying high, on and off the pitch. The pair’s disparity is telling, and it paints a troubling light on Maitland-Niles.