Arsenal fans want Ainsley Maitland-Niles to start against Portsmouth

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A number of Arsenal fans have taken to Twitter to suggest that Ainsley Maitland-Niles should start against Portsmouth in the FA Cup on Monday night.

Mikel Arteta’s men travel to Fratton Park looking to book their place in the quarter-final of the competition.

Following their Europa League exit last week, the FA Cup looks to represent a good opportunity for the Gunners this term. And thus, perhaps it would be little surprise to see Arteta name a fairly strong side against the League One club.

But one change that plenty of Arsenal supporters are hoping for involves Maitland-Niles and Hector Bellerin.

Bellerin has arguably struggled since returning from injury. The 24-year-old has not looked as lively as he did a couple of years ago when his pace was frightening.

He may benefit from a rest. And that should perhaps tempt Arteta to hand Maitland-Niles a chance.

The 22-year-old has not started a game since January. However, he really seemed to grow into the right-back role while Bellerin was sidelined. It may not be his favoured position, but he was performing extremely well at times.

And some supporters have taken to social media to implore Arteta to pick Maitland-Niles once again on Monday night as they believe that he would be better at right-back than Bellerin right now.

Here is what some of the Arsenal fans were saying on Twitter ahead of their clash with Pompey…