Ainsley Maitland-Niles: Page 6 - The Arsenal discussion community: One More in the Tolly

Ainsley Maitland-Niles

Jed

Ainsley Maitland-Niles was as surprised as anyone to hear his name pop up in Unai Emery’s first interviews as our new head coach.

Chief executive Ivan Gazidis revealed that the Spaniard had presented a detailed dossier mapping Maitland-Niles’ development when he was interviewing for the role.

The Hale End youngster signed a new deal this week and, after meeting our new head coach, cannot wait to start working him when our squad reports for pre-season in July.

“You don’t really hear a lot of young players being shouted out by their managers, especially a new manager who hasn’t really seen them play too much,” Maitland-Niles told Arsenal Player. “I think it’s brilliant to hear from him and it gives me a load of confidence.

“It feels fantastic knowing that I’m going to be a part of the squad, and a big part of the squad. It means a lot with the new head coach coming in and Arsenal tying me down [with a new contract]. I’m very pleased.

“We had a little meeting. He said that he wants all of his players to work hard and I’m no stranger to doing that. It will be second nature to me.

“I think [the high-pressing game] suits me a lot, too. I’ve got a lot of pace to give to the team, pressing up high and winning the ball back as soon as possible is a major factor in football.”

https://www.arsenal.com/news/ainsley-its-brilliant-hear-what-emery-said

Sounds like Emery sees him as a key player.

HomeSteak

Great news, have high hopes for him. Number 15, real squad number, best of luck to him.

Claudius

So if we bring in Torreira, then we could also have Elneny, Xhaka, Maitland Niles and Ramsey for the 2 midfield spots if we are playing a 4 2 3 1 or 4 3 3 with with Mesut occupying one of the 3. Where would he fit if that was the rotation. Who would he partner with? How often should he expect to be used?

Jed

Probably a 4-3-3 with Torreira sitting behind Ramsey and AMN. That midfield would press the fuck out of the opposition.

Claudius

Jed wrote:
Probably a 4-3-3 with Torreira sitting behind Ramsey and AMN. That midfield would press the fuck out of the opposition.

Sounds good, but where does Ozil play in that instance?

flobaba

Why are you so concerned with shoe horning Ozil into a formation? Football is a fluid game, and Ozil is one of the best at it. Unless the manager is absolutely rigid and inflexible, and it doesn’t appear Emery is, then there should be no problems. If Ozil could fit into a team managed by José Mourinho, I think he is intelligent enough to fit into any team don’t you?

Jed

Claudius wrote:
Jed wrote:
Probably a 4-3-3 with Torreira sitting behind Ramsey and AMN. That midfield would press the fuck out of the opposition.

Sounds good, but where does Ozil play in that instance?

Wide playmaker.

MistaT

Jed wrote:
Probably a 4-3-3 with Torreira sitting behind Ramsey and AMN. That midfield would press the fuck out of the opposition.

At the start of the season I'd favor:

Torreira -- Xhaka
----Ramsey-----
Ozil-------xxxxx
-------Auba-----

with AMN competing for either Torreira or Xhaka's spot in the team.

Also heard Emery likes to rotate, so I'd imagine we could see Ramsey drop to the base of the midfield in some (home) games and Ozil to AM.

Have to imagine this "promotion" coincides with Wilshere moving on, and possibly El Neny.

est

Great news. I have big hopes for Maitland-Niles. Hopefully he can really blossom under Emery. The talent is there.

Mirth

That looks like a solid midfield

lorddulaarsenal

Excellent news. This kid is the real deal

————Torreira
—Ramsey ——AMN

That’s as solid a midfield as we’ve seen in donkeys

Gazza M

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:
Excellent news. This kid is the real deal

————Torreira
—Ramsey ——AMN

That’s as solid a midfield as we’ve seen in donkeys

Emery could get alot out of that trio

Ozil, auba, mkhi frontline

Jed

Not enough goals in that frontline.

Still need a goalscoring winger. Pavon or Bailey would be perfect.

RC8

I would love to see something like:

Lacazette----Aubameyang
------------Ozil
AMN--------------Ramsey
----------Torreira

With Mkhi coming in for one of front 5 as needed, and full backs providing width.

Gazza M

Jed wrote:
Not enough goals in that frontline.

Still need a goalscoring winger. Pavon or Bailey would be perfect.

if improvements are made in our pressing and ball-winning, that front-line could very productive. don't forget ramsey's goals as well

banduan

RC8 wrote:
I would love to see something like:

Lacazette----Aubameyang
------------Ozil
AMN--------------Ramsey
----------Torreira

With Mkhi coming in for one of front 5 as needed, and full backs providing width.

Was just about to post that formation. I don't know if the midfield diamond still works nowadays with the prevalence of back threes, but I love seeing the flanks of diamond midfields in action.

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert

I dislike the Mkhi-Auba-Ozil front line. It was absolutely useless e.g. against the Scum away. Not enough balance there.

QuincyAbeyie

It's not good enough to function when the midfield is nowhere to be seen, but I'd like to think that they'll improve by having a functional midfield behind them.

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert

True, but I still think it should be Mkhi OR Ozil, and not both (unless we have 3 behind one striker, then they can both be accommodated).

Mirth

Bear in mind we'll have Ramsey pretty much acting like an auxiliary forward so it may well ending up being 3 behind the striker.

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