Arsenal: 6 biggest player surprises this season

3. Ainsley Maitland-Niles Has Impressed in Midfield

How would anyone know how good Ainsley Maitland-Niles can be in midfield if he’s never been handed a proper run in the position?

Well, a six month loan move at West Brom where he played there every week would have been a fairly reasonable period to make a judgement. Even if the club were battling relegation, horrendously negative on the ball and lacking in quality all over the pitch, at least it was a decent sample size.

Maitland-Niles looked ok.

Parts of his game, such as defensive awareness and looseness on the ball, were worrying signs for someone aiming to be a central midfielder permanently. While there were some positive aspects, the level he reached didn’t look sufficient enough to be part of an Arsenal side vying for a top six berth.

Has he been sensational since? No, that would be taking it way too far. But he has ironed out the creases shown with the Baggies and on the occasions he’s been given the nod, whether from the start or as a late substitute, he has not looked out of place: energy, tenacity and willingness in abundance.

After the Instagram drama that took place over the summer, the performances he’s been producing have been a pleasant surprise when it seemed his Arsenal career was done and dusted.

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