Yannick Bolasie and Tony Adams think one Arsenal player should have started at Tottenham

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Ainsley Maitland-Niles was sensational for Arsenal during last Thursday’s 4-1 win over Rapid Vienna but remained an unused substitute against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday – and both Yannick Bolasie and Tony Adams have questioned that decision.

Arsenal suffered a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday as Harry Kane and Son Heung-min both scored – assisting each other, too. It saw Spurs return to the top of the Premier League table, despite boasting only 30% possession throughout.

Despite being able to play on either side of the defence or in midfield, 23-year-old Maitland-Niles was left out of the team despite his efforts on Thursday. Hector Bellerin struggled, while Thomsa Partey has been blamed for Tottenham’s second goal.

Arsenal legend Adams responded to Maitland-Niles’ absence after the defeat that he thinks the versatile ace should have started over Bellerin at right-back – while Everton winger Bolasie posted on Twitter, composing “Free AMN”.

“Wrong decisions. I would have played Maitland-Niles,” Adams told Premier League Productions. “Just by judging Hector [Bellerin] has been playing in the last three games.”

TBR’s view – Arteta needs to shake things up, starting with Maitland-Niles

£25million-rated (Guardian) Maitland-Niles needs to start. Ideally, that needs to be in central midfield. Granit Xhaka was poor on Sunday, Dani Ceballos made a bit of an impact but did little to eventually alter the outcome of the match.

Forget playing Maitland-Niles at right-back, the versatile star gives the Gunners energy and that is needed in the middle of the park. Combine him with Partey in central midfield and Arteta can finally take the north London side forward.