Is there a way to bring Ainsley Maitland-Niles back into the fold?
Is there a way to bring Ainsley Maitland-Niles back into the fold?
By Oli Dickson Jefford
Very few Arsenal players quite hit the headlines in the same way Ainsley Maitland-Niles did this summer.
Once considered one of the brightest prospects at the club, the 24-year-old’s career at Arsenal has stagnated.
Struggling to get any first team action, Maitland-Niles spent the second half of the 2020/21 campaign on loan at West Brom.
It looked as if he would be spending another season away from the Emirates, with Everton trying to sign him on loan.
However, despite the move seemingly all set to go ahead, Arsenal refused to let Maitland-Niles head to Goodison Park - leading to an extraordinary social media post from the midfielder.
“All I want to do is go where I’m wanted and where I’m going to play @Arsenal,” he implored on an Instagram story.
There was understandably a sense that he had fallen out of favour at the club, but no one would have been expecting such a critical post.
Club officials were reportedly incensed at the time, but Mikel Arteta later confirmed that ‘clear the air’ talks had been held and that Maitland-Niles would stay at the club this season.
However, will he be brought back into the fold?
His league appearances had been increasing in the years prior to that and it appeared he was going to become a first team regular.
Maitland-Niles was also brought into the England fold by Gareth Southgate in 2020, but things have gone south for him since.
He made just 11 league appearances last year, predominantly as a substitute, before being loaned out to West Brom.
He has made two substitute league appearances this season, though it is clear that he desires first team football.
With the depth in Arsenal’s midfield, that might be tricky.
Once considered one of the brightest prospects at the club, the 24-year-old’s career at Arsenal has stagnated.
Struggling to get any first team action, Maitland-Niles spent the second half of the 2020/21 campaign on loan at West Brom.
It looked as if he would be spending another season away from the Emirates, with Everton trying to sign him on loan.
However, despite the move seemingly all set to go ahead, Arsenal refused to let Maitland-Niles head to Goodison Park - leading to an extraordinary social media post from the midfielder.
“All I want to do is go where I’m wanted and where I’m going to play @Arsenal,” he implored on an Instagram story.
There was understandably a sense that he had fallen out of favour at the club, but no one would have been expecting such a critical post.
Club officials were reportedly incensed at the time, but Mikel Arteta later confirmed that ‘clear the air’ talks had been held and that Maitland-Niles would stay at the club this season.
However, will he be brought back into the fold?
Where did it all go wrong?
Towards the end of the 2019/20 campaign, he was an integral part of the team, making 20 league appearances and was part of the squad that won the FA Cup.His league appearances had been increasing in the years prior to that and it appeared he was going to become a first team regular.
Maitland-Niles was also brought into the England fold by Gareth Southgate in 2020, but things have gone south for him since.
He made just 11 league appearances last year, predominantly as a substitute, before being loaned out to West Brom.
He has made two substitute league appearances this season, though it is clear that he desires first team football.
With the depth in Arsenal’s midfield, that might be tricky.
Arsenal's midfield options
Though there have been criticisms of Arsenal’s performances across the pitch in recent months, the midfield is one area in which there is a lot of strength.Two of those who have broken through and become first team regulars are Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe.
Saka and Smith-Rowe are both younger than Maitland-Niles and are seemingly in Arteta’s - and the club’s - long-term plans, suggesting that they will likely feature in most matches.
Record signing Nicolas Pepe and Thomas Partey are also thought to be highly-rated by the club’s leadership and are also set to feature heavily this campaign, as is Martin Odegaard.
Odegaard was the standout performer in many matches when on loan last season, and having now joined permanently from Real Madrid he will likely be one of the first names on the team sheet.
Where does Maitland-Niles fit in?
With the ever-divisive Granit Xhaka also still a first team regular, it is hard to see where Maitland-Niles fits in.He can play in defence and this is an area where the Gunners have been vulnerable, but the summer signings of Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu could resolve that problem.
Though Arteta may still value him as a squad player, it is hard to see how Maitland-Niles can break permanently back into the first-team barring any injuries to other players.
With the 24-year-old approaching what should be the prime of his career, don’t be surprised if he looks to leave again in January or next summer.
PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
