Arsenal: 3 unexpected sales we may see this summer

2. Ainsley Maitland-Niles

Another guy who I have to preface with saying that I don’t want to see him sold. Don’t worry, No. 1 gets that too. But for Ainsley Maitland-Niles, the likelihood that he’s getting sold is gradually increasing. Hell, if I waited another couple weeks to publish this list, he may not even be on it.

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The big tell was seeing Sokratis get the start at rightback instead of Ainsley Maitland-Niles. And bigger even than that was knowing that Matteo Guendouzi had a big fallout with Arteta, but was right there back in the starting XI in the first leg against Olympiakos while Maitland-Niles was relegated to subbing in for Sokratis at the end due to an injury.

I was under the impression that Cedric Soares’ arrival would allow Maitland-Niles to play in the central midfield, but even before Cedric is healthy, Maitland-Niles can’t buy any game time. Clearly something isn’t jiving with him. And with the summer just around the corner, if it doesn’t jive soon, then there just isn’t a future for this young man.

But the good news is that he could fetch a really nice fee. If Alex Iwobi got what he did last summer, then Maitland-Niles can get the same if not better. It’s not ideal, but this is Arteta’s boat now. So get on board or swim.

On to No. 1.