Three Arsenal youngsters who could make the grade at the Emirates

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Ainsley Maitland Niles

Another double-barreled member of Arsenal’s ranks, Maitland Niles impressed Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy when on loan at Portman Road last season. The former Wolves boss was particularly bullish about his chances of making it at the Emirates. Following a dispute between the player’s mother and McCarthy, Maitland Niles fell out of favour at Ipswich but has another admirer in Wenger:

“He’s an interesting prospect because he does not have an imposing frame, but he’s mobile, he’s quick and he’s sharp technically,” he told the official Arsenal website.

“He has a good eye, he can win the ball and he has the speed to fly into people and get the ball out of their feet.

“That’s a very interesting quality that you do not find often.”

Maitland Niles is a bit slight of frame at this stage, but does have a tremendous engine. It could be that Wenger envisages him making a similar journey to Francis Coquelin (minus the numerous loan moves and near departure from the club of course). A player who started as a box to box midfielder, sometimes from the flank, who ended focusing his energies on winning the ball back and prompting attacks. He has even played at right back in the past, but Maitland Niles believes his future will lie in the middle of the park.