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Is a loan or permanent move away best for Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ career?
By Adam Schultz
Ainsley Maitland-Niles has seen his Arsenal career stutter, and now it appears he could be close to leaving on loan or permanently. But what is best for the 24-year-old?
Having played 132 games across his Arsenal career since 2014, the midfielder has not been able to find a regular spot in either Arsene Wenger, Unai Emery, or Mikel Arteta’s sides.
Having been sent out on loan to various clubs throughout his career, such as Leicester City, West Brom, and AS Roma, the writing was somewhat already on the wall for the Englishman.
One thing against Maitland-Niles is that he is a jack of all trades, but a master of none. He has been deployed at right-back and has been somewhat serviceable. He has also had time in the midfield and has been okay, but where is his best position?
Is a loan or permanent move away best for Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ career?
🚨 Arsenal expect to offload Ainsley Maitland-Niles, with West Ham, Bournemouth, Fulham & two Europe clubs among those to show interest. Mikel Arteta has made it clear to the player that he is not part of his plans, but they are yet to receive any offers. [@RyanTaylorSport] #afc
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) August 23, 2022
We know that Arteta loves versatile players, but with Oleksander Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus, both are world-class at whichever position they play, Maitland-Niles is not.
One thing that has perhaps gone against him is that he has never been given a proper run of games to establish continuity in his game with the Gunners. We have seen William Saliba do well with a loan move, and Nuno Tavares has started his loan with a bang.
For Maitland-Niles, a loan move where he can get consistent first-team minutes will hugely benefit him. A few clubs have been mentioned to be vying for his services including Bournemouth, West Ham, Fulham, and a couple of European sides.
West Ham United could now seal a cut-price permanent transfer for Arsenal utility man Ainsley Maitland-Niles this summer, according to Ryan Taylor. pic.twitter.com/eU99L4tlW4
— West Ham (C)entral 🏆 (@WestHam_Central) August 23, 2022
But if he is to develop into an Arsenal player, the loan move must happen in England. The 24-year-old needs constant Premier League minutes or Championship football, at least.
Is there a team that is willing to give him that? Newly-promoted Bournemouth and Fulham look like good options on paper for him. He will surely get ample game time and will get his feet underneath him in the Premier League.
A loan move is best for Maitland-Niles as he is not in Mikel Arteta’s plans. According to various reports, it is highly likely that the versatile 24-year-old will be pushed through the Emirates exit door sooner rather than later.
If the chance arises for a permanent deal with the Englishman, then Arsenal should jump at it, regardless of the price offered. Just to get him off the books.
Either way, it seems that Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ Arsenal career is quickly coming to a close.