Arsenal could be about to take a huge transfer risk in January

Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles is reportedly closing in on a January departure from the Emirates Stadium.

According to Sky Sports, the Gunners man is close to reaching an agreement to join Roma on loan until the end of the season.

Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano has reported that the Italians are offering to take Maitland-Niles on with an £8.5million option to buy.

On the surface, it seems like a reasonable transfer decision.

Maitland-Niles left Arsenal on loan a year ago for West Brom, where he shone in midfield.

Prior to that, the 24-year-old often featured on the flanks for the Gunners.

And in the summer, Arsenal reportedly blocked a transfer deadline-day loan switch to Everton.

He subsequently posted a message on his Instagram which said: “All I wanna do is go where I’m wanted and where I’m gonna play.”

Arteta held clear-the-air talks with Maitland-Niles, and he stayed put at the Emirates Stadium.

However, the player remains on the fringes of the first team, with just 11 appearances under his belt.

Huge risk

There is one problem, however – of all the times to offload a midfielder, this January is probably the worst time.

That’s because Arsenal are going to lose two midfielders – Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny – to Africa Cup of Nations duty.

Granit Xhaka, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Maitland-Niles will be the only senior options to play there.

It’s a huge risk for Arteta if either Xhaka or Lokonga suffer an injury or get suspended.

And if talks between Arsenal, Roma and Maitland-Niles are as advanced as the reports say, chances are he’ll leave right at the start of the window.

If Edu and Arteta have someone else lined up right away, then that would be the best thing.

Otherwise, Arteta may have to call on Charlie Patino or Salah Oulad M’hand for cover.

Both are talented players, but putting too much responsibility on their shoulders in league matches would present a big risk.