Arsene Wenger has tipped Ainsley Maitland-Niles as one of the young players who can consolidate a place in the first team squad next season under a new manager, but says he wants the 20 year old to push himself out of his comfort zone to realise his potential.
The versatile midfielder, who has played in both full back positions and at wing back, has made 27 appearances in this current campaign, and looks to be a player who really has something about him.
The Frenchman, however, feels he could do more to really ensure he makes the grade. Speaking after last night’s 3-1 defeat to Leicester Wenger was asked which players would be his tips to fight for the first team next season.
“I would say Maitland-Niles, certainly, from the young players, and Nketiah,” he said. “And then it depends who will come in – you have Willock and of course Reiss Nelson.”
“Will they get a chance or not or will they go somewhere on loan? The next manager will have to decide that after pre-season.
“Nketiah has that quality to score goals and overall I think he might get a chance very early. The two others have the quality as well.”
And on Maitland-Niles, he continued, “We all are great admirers of Ainsley’s talent and of his quality. What you want from him is for him to push himself.
“When he digs a little bit more than he naturally would like to, you will see a fantastic football player and I hope that next season will confirm that.”
Maitland-Niles provided the assist for Aubameyang’s goal last night and generally acquitted himself well from right back. Let’s hope he can push on next season.
I’d like to see him at right back a lot more, we need cover there and he has all the physical attributes for that role.
I’d prefer it if we’d try out some of our actual right backs, or brought in some. I think Maitland-Niles could be a good midfielder.
nah I’d prefer that money spent on the midfield
Great potential. I hear he has a supportive mother too.
Though I take that comment back – I gather that things are not good between them and she is suffering, so apologies for what was intended as a joke given her training ground appearance in 2015.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-star-ainsley-maitland-niles-12122394
I’m glad you apologised, kudos for that.
What a horrible comment
I’m glad he’s getting game time, though I don’t see any benefit to putting youngsters on the bench at this stage of the season,with nothing to play for why not give them actual minutes. There’s nothing gained for playing senior players anyway
If we had an away point in 2018 I expect AW might have played more youngsters, although on the flip side we might end up with 8-2 scorelines and the new guy doesn’t need that as a welcome present.
I think Wenger planned to say this about Mavropanos above all. The boy will impress next game, tough for the kids.
Who needs Wenger’s advice?Let him pack his bags and leave immediately after the match on Sunday.
Then yours is even less needed.
It was an attempt at humour, but that is something that is sadly missing in a lot of Arsenal fans these days.
You have a weird sense of humour.
Omera that’s a very distasteful comment regarding a manager who has served The Arsenal selflessly for 22 years.
He has the makings of an excellent player for Arsenal. Quick, strong, a good range of passing. His defensive side has improved, and other than the odd lapse in concentration and loose passes, he has all the tools to succeed at Arsenal, and play for England. If he wants to be a box-to-box midfielder, like he’s stated before, he will have to add a few goals to his game. Really excited to see what AMN can do in the coming years.
I always love when one of our youngsters make it through our academy and end up hyping our kids ..But after J.E.T .. I know to not have my hopes up.
With that said … This kid , damn the way he carries himself the calmness his whole composure already several MoTM performances at this age. I like him a lot so definitely a believer. Play him in the middle and on the right , give him the best chance to excel.
cant really see any of them making it to the first team
Just wondering Afan, do you comment on here seriously? Or do like to do it as some fort of satirical joke? I can’t be sure if you genuinely are the worst Arsenal fan in the world or if you just pretend to be to wind other gooners up? Fair play if it is that later, must take a lot of time.
Afan is just negative of anyone besides his secret crush Wilshere.
There’s something exciting about AMN’s assured play. Hope he comes good with us.
I think this kid has a great future he reminds me of Paul Davis calm, assured with great distribution. Of all the talent coming through I think AMN could be a real future Arsenal Great.