Arsenal: Ainsley Maitland-Niles only has himself to blame

Ainsley Maitland-Niles is reportedly ‘likely to move this summer’. The Arsenal man only has himself to blame for slipping down and out of the pecking order at the club.

It was all looking so bright for Ainsley Maitland-Niles. After breaking into the senior set-up under Arsene Wenger, then being heralded by Unai Emery, and finally emerging as a high-level starter at a specific position under Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal youngster’s prospects were bright around the turn of the year.

Consistently, Maitland-Niles’ best performances have come at full-back or wing-back, either on the left or the right. Maitland-Niles, though, has infamously and repeatedly insisted that he is a midfielder, either in central positions or out-wide.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

This remained the case under Arteta. In an inverted right-back role that provided structure and balance to an otherwise imbalanced 4-2-3-1 shape that thrust the left-back into a left-wing role at times, Maitland-Niles shined. His technical skill was evident. His experience as a central midfielder made him invaluable in playing out from the back. He was more focused defensively, quick to close down opponents, and, as always, his composure and confidence shone through. And yet, as soon as Hector Bellerin returned to fitness, Maitland-Niles was nowhere to be seen.

He started the first five league matches of Arteta’s tenure. He was excellent in all. Bellerin then played in a 2-2 draw with Chelsea, captaining the side and scoring a remarkable late equaliser. Maitland-Niles has not started a match since. Even when it came to resting Bellerin in lesser matches in the FA Cup and Europa League, Arteta used centre-back Sokratis, not Maitland-Niles. Sokratis looked painfully uncomfortable in the position, but Maitland-Niles remained stuck to the bench.

While nothing has been publicly said, reading between the lines a little, it does not take a genius to work out what has happened. Maitland-Niles has told Arteta that he will not play at full-back. Arteta has responded by proving that he does not deserve a place in the team in midfield or out-wide.

Maitland-Niles’ aversion to playing right-back is curious, to say the least, and certainly portrays a negative image of his commitment to the team and overall work ethic. It is as if he feels slighted and disrespected to be called a full-back, as if he is more valued and celebrated as a midfielder or winger. Traditionally, they are more glamourous positions, but there is very little praise for those who sit on the bench.

This weekend, The Athletic reported that Maitland-Niles is ‘likely to move this summer’. Given Arteta’s famous non-negotiables and focus on the attitude of his players, it is easy to see why. That would be a sad development for a player who is still supremely talented, can be hugely valuable as a versatile depth piece capable of playing across the pitch, and has shown that he can perform at a high level at right-back when he wants to.

Next. Arsenal: 3 players not to sell... yet. dark

Should this be the end of Maitland-Niles’ career, he only has his himself to blame. Given the quality of his performances, had he been willing to commit to right-back, Arteta would have played him. But he wasn’t. He was cocky, over-valued his qualities, outgrew his role in the squad, and will soon be on his way out of the club. And there is no one else to blame but him.

Home/Arsenal News