AS Roma have signed Ainsley Maitland-Niles on loan for the rest of the season.
The England international moves to the Stadio Olimpico in search of more game time after a frustrating 18 months at Arsenal where he’s failed to nail down a regular starting place under Mikel Arteta.
Having spent the second half of last season with West Bromwich Albion, the 24-year-old returned to London Colney in the summer and promptly declared his willingness to try his luck elsewhere.
A move to Everton looked to be on the cards towards the end of the transfer window but the Gunners blocked the Toffees approach leaving Maitland-Niles fuming on social media. He was reintegrated into the first team after ‘clear the air’ talks and featured regularly in the Premier League in the first quarter of the season, even in his preferred central midfield position.
🐺 Welcome to Roma, Ainsley! 👊
#ASRoma | @MaitlandNiles pic.twitter.com/qDPZl2JyCJ— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) January 8, 2022
In early November, Mikel Arteta went as far as to say, “I see a different player in terms of his urgency, his commitment and the clarity in his play and purpose.”
Despite the warm words, Ainsley hasn’t played in the last eight league games and it’s therefore not surprising to see him move. At the same time, with Thomas Partey and Mo Elneny both at the African Cup of Nations, it does leave us a little exposed in the centre of midfield for the next few weeks.
It’s believed that Ainsley could make a permanent move to Roma next summer if he settles well in Serie A but there’s no suggestion that this deal includes an obligation to buy.
Best of luck to Ainsley in Roma…local starlings beware. And the Roma fans have very kindly produced a welcome song for him that is sure to go down a storm … er …
Maitland-Niles to Roma 🔜 🇮🇹pic.twitter.com/spcNtfw1vp
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) January 6, 2022
All the best, AMN.
Don’t believe all Mourinho tells you though.
Arriva Maintna Nies!
Hey guys, anyone know how R.Nelson is doing on his loan spell?
Well he has featured 11 times and has only 1 assist and 0 goals
Only one of those was a start though. He has barely played
He got injured so probably needing to build match fitness again. He can’t really catch a break can he.
I am amazed that this post was down voted! A genuine question was asked!
Blogs mentions there is a reflection of Wenger in the way Arteta handled this. I’m sure the way he “cleared the air” with Maitland-Niles was to promise to allow a move in January if he still wanted it (i.e., if he didn’t get enough playing time), and he kept his promise. Compare that to the way Koscielny (who surely thought he had a similar promise) ended his career here.
Weird timing. Surely we have a plan though …
Song makes this nearly palatable.
So weird. We’re paper thin in midfield now and he’s been nothing but consistent this season. At least wait until the end of the window.
Best of luck to Ainsley!
Many clubs across Europe have the bstrategy of developing English talent in order to pocket the English premium. Roma seems to have jumped on board.
All the best to him even though I still believe been a perfect utility man is a rare ability and he could be that guy for us.
Got a feeling he does not want to be utility man and he wants to be playing in midfield for a team who has ambition. No other team in the top 8 or even 10(other than Everton Preseason) will be willing to give him a go in the first team regularly. Going to Roma could be the difference maker, it’s either he becomes a lower table midfield regular or making a step up to top table midfield regular after his spell with them, hopefully it’s latter. Not sure how long his contract is with us till, there’s a chance he… Read more »
Spot on!
Maybe… but Mourinho’s comments on him have already sees him covering a number of positions. Due to his pace and proven ability to do a job as a right wing back both for Arsenal and England I suspect he’ll be a utility guy wherever he goes. Even at a lower club he could be a starter but shunted out wide if there are injuries. I could be wrong and I hope for the sake of his happiness that it works out as he wants it to whether he returns or not.
I just hope Maureen doesn’t destroy him
If the choice was sit on the bench for Arsenal and wait for the summer, or willingly spend your working life with that vomit-inducing cu next Tuesday, I know which one I would choose.
I give it 6 months … just enuf time for Agent AMN to finally end Jose.
Lazy whining player.
Mourinho loves those doesn’t he.
Never remotely saw him as lazy. With the absence of Partey and Elneny this is a strange move. Sincerely hope we can make another central midfield signing.
What gave you the impression he was ever lazy?
Yeah? You spend the whole day asleep! 🙂
Their AMN song 🎵 🎶
is great what a nice gesture, best of luck Ainsley!! Now if anyone has some advice on how to stop bleeding from the ears it would be much appreciated.
🎶 Aviva Maitland Niles, oh Niles, oh yeah🎶
Seems madness how we haven’t waited until the end of the month for this. Here’s hoping we have a new midfielder incoming soon
He was done when he spoke out during the summer
Probably, but can’t blame him he had options and the club blocked it because they wanted him to stay.
Mikel has been honest with him since and let him go. I think it’s a fair situation now and a decent outcome.
Best for all parties
Hope he is not wrecked by Mourinho
Arteta let him go, because he knows there’s an incoming in this window.
Congrats, Son. Excel
Word.
Hope he never has a bad office day
I’m sure Mhkitaryan will help him get settled in. Give em hell fofty
Well we sure need mf cover now, is Flamini still fit?
Good luck AMN, your mum will finally be allowed to watch you train 😃
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-3061954/Arsenal-ban-Ainsley-Maitland-Niles-mother-appears-hit-Arsene-Wenger-s-chief-negotiator-Dick-Law-U21-game.html