‘I’m capable’: Arsenal loanee deemed ‘outstanding’ sends message to Mikel Arteta

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Arsenal loanee Ainsley Maitland-Niles has sent another message to Gunners boss Mikel Arteta regarding his preference and ability to play in midfield.

The 23-year-oldleft the Emirates Stadium in February to link up with fellow Premier League side West Brom on loan.

Maitland-Niles has made 121 competitive appearances for Arsenal since his senior debut in 2014.

However, he has struggled to nail down a first-team place under Mikel Arteta, with just five Premier League starts in red and white this season.

In addition, Maitland-Niles has often been deployed on the flanks, while Baggies boss Sam Allardyce has been using him in his preferred midfield position.

The Hale End graduate has impressed in six outings for West Brom, and speaking to the Express & Star, he reiterated how important it is for him to play in the centre.

“Versatility can be a positive or a negative – it depends on your outlook,” he said.

“Sometimes you’re stuck in the position where you’re waiting for a chance and you can play anywhere because of your versatility.

“Sometimes you become a main player straight away and it doesn’t affect you. But sometimes you can be caught out by it.

“I want to play in the centre of the pitch because I feel comfortable there and there’s a lot of things I can bring by playing in the middle.

“You can control the game from there and I think my attributes help me do that.

“This was a chance to show I’m capable in that midfield role rather than sitting on the bench all season.”

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Maitland-Niles is a talented player with plenty of potential – you don’t come up through the ranks to make over 100 appearances for a club like Arsenal if you’re no good.

“I think he’s been outstanding,” Stuart Pearce told talkSPORT last year (14 September, 09:12). “For me, he’ll be integral to any success Arsenal have this season.”

Arteta mostly used Maitland-Niles as a utility player and this wasn’t to his liking, hence his move away, and he’s spoken of his desire to play in midfield more than once.

If he does indeed return to Arsenal rather than moving permanently, could the Gunners boss look to give him a run in midfield?