Jack Wilshere and Emile Smith-Rowe hand out Instagram praise for Arsenal star, after Sunday outing

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Ainsley Maitland-Niles was handed the man-of-the-match award as Arsenal beat Watford – earning praise from Jack Wilshere, and Emile Smith-Rowe.

Smith-Rowe scored the only goal of the game, a low effort from the edge of the area in the second half to win. It was amid plenty of controversy.

Danny Rose kicked the ball out, expecting Arsenal to give it back with Ozan Tufan down. Then, many have argued Maitland-Niles fouled Sarr.

But the goal was given. It takes the England Under-21 star’s goal involvements to six in six Premier League games, a great effort.

Arsenal have now also gone eight games unbeaten in the Premier League, winning six of them. But it was only Maitland-Niles’ second league start.

The midfielder was linked with an exit last summer, even posting on Instagram that he wanted to go. But he stayed, and got MOTM on Sunday.

Maitland-Niles shines for Arsenal: Wilshere, Smith-Rowe react

With Thomas Partey missing, Arsenal lined-up with a inexperienced double pivot of Maitland-Niles and Albert Sambi Lokonga.

Granit Xhaka, of course, remains injured – likely to be until the new year. So, Maitland-Niles came in and he certainly staked a claim for the future.

His passing was excellent, but it was his energy and willingness to do the dirty side of the game that helped Arsenal enormously. A battling display.

Wilshere and Smith-Rowe responded on Instagram, as did Alexandre Lacazette, after Maitland-Niles underlined his delight at winning MOTM.