Ainsley Maitland-Niles: Page 8 - The Arsenal discussion community: One More in the Tolly

Ainsley Maitland-Niles

flobaba

Needs to go have a word with the boss.

I wouldn’t take this if I were him. Where’s that trade request form?

Klaus

I'd rather see Maitland-Niles in midfield than Guendouzi right now to be honest.

speedy

I get the feeling he's not up to it in there we've been desperate in midfield and based on training hes never been popped in.

He was either injured or sulking because he had the worse first touch I've seen in my life as an arsenal fan against Watford. The only time he controlled the ball we scored. The rest of that first half, yikes.

Bold Tone

Why would Emery consider him for a midfield role when Bellerin is out and we have no one else, but Mustafi, to play RB?

speedy

We've needed midfielder for a lot longer than bellerin has been injured and even when mustafi was covering RB, AMN wasnt considered

Klaus

He was definitely considered by Wenger in midfield and did well enough at places like Old Trafford to gain some real praise.

I think Maitland-Niles also played leftback for a long spell before Bellerin got injured though, no? He's been turned into a utility man and I can understand if he's not thrilled about it. Sticking 'em at the fullback has always been a convenient way for managers to deal with midfielders they don't have a clear role for. We used to try so hard to turn Coquelin into a rightback too (no other comparison between him and AMN as players), to the point of even preferring Craig Eastmond in midfield because he was more physical. I heard he's playing for Sutton United in the National League nowadays.

Big Willie

Ah, Craig Eastmond. A blast from the past. That guy was friends with one of my mates and used to regularly come (like at least a few times a week) to our local shisha spot whilst he was still on Arsenal's books. Not surprising he never made it. Complete non entity as a footballer when it came to dedicating his time to the game.

goon

Not that I ever really rated him as much as others but heard some awful stories about JET off the pitch too from someone I know. He should be doing a lot better than the Thai league. At least Aneke has carved himself a championship career.

GooneriC

AMN isnt a right back , just forced to play there because Bellerin got injured and Leichtsteiner was garbage. This has to be longest time a CM has had to cover at fullback at this club , i remember AMN also having to fill in at LB sometimes. He looked so good in midfield the first few serious run outs , pity our management shoved him out there to struggle.

Coombs

He's not a RB, but I'm not convinced he's a better option than Guendouzi either. Maybe in reality they could be considered at the same level, but with different skillsets. If Xhaka plays, I'd rather AMN partner him just because of profile, not necessarily because of ability.

speedy

Klaus wrote:
He was definitely considered by Wenger in midfield and did well enough at places like Old Trafford to gain some real praise.

I think Maitland-Niles also played leftback for a long spell before Bellerin got injured though, no? He's been turned into a utility man and I can understand if he's not thrilled about it. Sticking 'em at the fullback has always been a convenient way for managers to deal with midfielders they don't have a clear role for. We used to try so hard to turn Coquelin into a rightback too (no other comparison between him and AMN as players), to the point of even preferring Craig Eastmond in midfield because he was more physical. I heard he's playing for Sutton United in the National League nowadays.

Coq and ox burst onto the scene after playing fullback. Hopefully AMN does the same. I wouldn't rule it out but I'm not not betting on it either.

Coq had some better games against better ynited teams yet he was still one of your least favourite players.

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert

goon wrote:
Not that I ever really rated him as much as others but heard some awful stories about JET off the pitch too from someone I know. He should be doing a lot better than the Thai league. At least Aneke has carved himself a championship career.

JET saga pissed me off. He could have been as good as he wanted to be. His physique and skills were outrageous ffs.

What kinda stories did you hear?

kamikaze

AMN has backtracked - looked so promising early on with his athleticism and pace. Hardly see that anymore.

He doesn't have a great touch or awareness out at RB - the idea that somehow he'd be better at CM is laughable. It also doesn't give me the warm and fuzzies that he thinks of himself as an attacking player. He's shown nothing to suggest he can create goals against the world's best. It's like back in the Wenger years when everyone fancied himself as Arsenal's no 10.

Shady

Get rid. Awful player.

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert

I somewhat feel for him, but I would sell. He's clearly never going to get a shot in midfield and he's just a diabolical defender. Might fetch us £20m.

Qwiss

I'd keep him as a utility player.

goon

I would too but then clearly his heart isn’t in it for that sort of role.

Jed

Shady wrote:
Get rid. Awful player.

Would play all of Chambers, Sokratis or even Mustafi at RB ahead of him till Bellerin is ready, he’s that bad.

Segway

He's fallen off a cliff this season.

Sicario

Shady wrote:
Get rid. Awful player.

This

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