Arsenal opportunity may arise for Ainsley Maitland-Niles

With a healthy selection of Premier League clubs hoping to take Ainsley Maitland-Niles on loan in January, his decision to shun more established sides in favour of West Brom appeared to signal the end of his time at Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta is not the first Arsenal manager to field Maitland-Niles in his unfavoured full-back position. Arsene Wenger and Unai Emery before him also utilised the Hale Ender in wide positions, with only ever fleeting appearances in the middle of the park.

His professional debut at the age of 17 may have been in midfield but even in the loan spell at Ipswich that followed he operated on the right – this time as a winger – and moving to the Hawthorns to pursue a career as a No. 8 demonstrated a desire to seek what Arsenal would not provide him.

Central midfield is also a position that Arsenal are keen to reinforce this summer with Thomas Partey requiring an experienced operator alongside him to replace Granit Xhaka, whenever the Swiss may eventually depart.

Arsenal opportunity may arise for Ainsley Maitland-Niles in Mikel Arteta’s midfield if the club fail to secure transfer targets this summer

Adding Albert Sambi Lokonga in the ranks has also further damaged Maitland-Niles’ hopes of more regular minutes in midfield, prompting the start of what appears to be the end.

His time at West Brom didn’t pull up any trees but also did no harm to the 23-year-old’s goals of finding a club where he will no longer be considered a full-back. There is Premier League interest in his signature and should he want it, and Arsenal accept what offers comes their way, it feels like an easy deal to pull off.

Young, homegrown, versatile (even if he doesn’t want to be) and mobile, Maitland-Niles certainly has a part to play in this division outside of north London.

One of the reasonably interesting side notes of the Gunners’ pre-season outings is that in each occasion Maitland-Niles has featured he has played in midfield. This may be a reflection of the lack of depth and availability in the squad as well as Arteta aiming to boost his chances of a sale. Or, maybe not?

As it stands, Partey is joined by Mohamed Elneny and Sambi in that department. Two of those are heading off to AFCON in January and the latter is new to English football. Meanwhile, Joe Willock is consistently linked being linked with a loan move to Newcastle.

Is there a space opening up? Or is it mere coincidence with work well underway for new arrivals and departures?

Continued…