Pundit Chris Sutton has urged Arsenal not to part ways with Ainsley Maitland-Niles despite strong interest from Premier League rivals, Wolves.
Sutton wrote in his column: “Those watching on BT Sport will have heard me make Ainsley Maitland-Niles my man of the match at Wembley[vs Liverpool].
“He is such a versatile talent, a diamond, and I do believe Mikel Arteta trusts him. You don’t start against Liverpool here, or in the FA Cup semi-final and final against Manchester City and Chelsea, if that isn’t the case.
‘Gareth Southgate has called Maitland-Niles, who only turned 23 on Saturday, into his England squad, too, having noticed how players don’t go past him easily. Neither Sadio Mane nor Mo Salah had any joy with him at left wing-back, and there is an argument he’d be a better right wing-back than Hector Bellerin.
“If I was an Arsenal decision-maker, I wouldn’t be in a hurry to get rid of Maitland-Niles, who still has three years on his contract. As his Wikipedia page states underplaying position: ‘Midfielder, winger, full-back, wing-back.’ This young man’s versatility is a weapon, as is his pace and the way he reads the game.
“Arteta would be better off with him than without him.”
Ainsley Maitland-Niles was surely the star of the show for Arsenal vs Liverpool at Wembley and as per the latest rumours, this performance from the youngster has forced Mikel Arteta to change his mind.
Up until now, Arsenal were ready to sell the right-back to Wolves for the right transfer price but now that does not seem to be the case.
As per the latest updates, the Arsenal boss thinks that Ainsley Maitland-Niles does have a future at the Emirates which is why he has refused to sell him to Nuno Espirito Santo’s side this summer.
But we have a feeling his fate will depend on what where Hector Bellerin ends up since clubs like PSG and Bayern Munich are interested in the Spaniard. If Bellerin is heading out then there’s no way that Arteta will send Maitland-Niles out of the door.
