Ainsley Maitland-Niles is a product of Arsenal's Hale End Academy (Getty Images)
According to Sky Sports, Arsenal academy graduate Ainsley Maitland-Niles has emerged as a potential target for Atletico Madrid ahead of the January transfer window.
As per the report, the Rojiblancos are planning to launch a potential bid for the 23-year-old versatile star next month. Diego Simeone’s side have been dealt a major blow by the latest development on Kieran Trippier’s future, who has been slapped with a 10-week ban due to breach of betting regulations.
Maitland-Niles, who rose through the youth ranks of the Gunners, made his first-team breakthrough during the 2014-15 season. After spending time on loan at Ipswich Town in the Championship, he established himself as a squad player at the Emirates during the 2017-18 campaign, which proved to be Arsene Wenger’s swansong.
The London-born star assumed a bigger role under former manager Unai Emery and has continued to progress under Mikel Arteta, starting 15 times in the PL last term. Maitland-Niles has made 17 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal so far this season, although he has started just 4 fixtures in the league.
Despite that, however, his importance to Arteta’s ranks certainly can’t be overlooked. Arsenal have come under immense criticism for their dismal run of form in the ongoing campaign, leaving them 15th in the standings, just four points clear of the relegation places. Maitland-Niles, though, has earned positive reviews for his performances, featuring as a full-back and wing-back on either side of the pitch.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles has been one of the rare bright sparks for Arsenal this season and losing him midway through the campaign would deal a huge blow to the club’s hopes of securing a respectable finish in the PL. The £35,000-a-week ace remains a utility asset to Arteta’s squad with his versatility to play as a full-back and in midfield.
With Hector Bellerin struggling for consistency at right-back, the door remains open for Maitland-Niles to establish himself as a more regular fixture in the set-up during the second half of the campaign. Arsenal’s situation at left-back doesn’t look all that promising either. Kieran Tierney has stepped up with some solid displays but with Sead Kolasinac way down the pecking order, Maitland-Niles offers a quality alternative in that department as well.
It would be well worth an argument that Arsenal can afford to cash in on Maitland-Niles to raise funds for new arrivals. That, however, wouldn’t be a smart idea, keeping in mind the bigger picture. The academy graduate has shown strong signs of promise in recent seasons and looks more than capable of evolving into one of the mainstays at the club. At 23, he still has plenty of room for development.
Arsenal are certainly under no pressure to sell Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who still has several years remaining on his contract. That he has earned recognition as an England international clearly speaks volumes of his progress in recent years.
He is a player who can effectively save the club millions in the transfer market. Having said that, the Gunners should not be tempted to consider any approaches for their utility star in January.