Arsenal make vital Ainsley Maitland-Niles transfer decision

Amid the flurry of outgoings this summer the situation surrounding Ainsley Maitland-Niles took a turn for the worse. After a loan spell with West Brom where he didn’t especially shine but still held his own, it was felt a move away was inevitable.

Boasting three right-backs and having signed a new midfielder in the form of Albert Sambi Lokonga, Maitland-Niles’ future felt increasingly likely to be away from north London. Factor in, as well, that Cedric and Calum Chambers have been chosen ahead of him so far this season and a deadline day move beckoned.

With Everton making their feelings felt with a loan offer that included an option to buy on the penultimate day of the window, Arsenal offered their view on the proposal by rejecting it. Maitland-Niles, in response, put out a highly unprofessional social media post. There are no innocent parties in this.

The situation turned sour and then reports emerged of emergency meetings being held between Arteta and Maitland-Niles to resolve his future, with the only offer for his services so far falling short of the club’s valuation.

Arsenal make vital Ainsley Maitland-Niles transfer decision with midfielder to stay with Mikel Arteta’s side this season – but will he play?

As per Sami Mokbel and followed across the British press, those discussions ended with the 24-year-old being given assurances of his role in Arteta’s plans this season, and he will now stay at the club.

All of which sounds weirdly familiar to what happened 12 months ago when Wolves’ bid was rejected and Arteta offered the same assurances, only for the Maitland-Niles to barely play a minute and leave on loan to West Brom in January.

Having moved Hector Bellerin on but brought in his replacement, and with Sambi adding to the midfield options with Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka ahead of him, where exactly in these plans is he?

Having clear the air talks won’t suddenly have convinced Arteta that he needs to play him. What would have convinced him that he needed to play him was watching an entirely incompetent Cedric and faltering Calum Chambers make a cataloque of errors already this season.

That, and being his manager for the best part of 20 months, watching him in training every day and seeing him earn an England call-up for his form. It’s very apparent that Arteta has taken a stand on the matter, as he so often does, and will not budge now his call has been made.

Clearly the conversations have gone differently, but will he actually play?

Continued…