Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has suggested to Football.London that Ainsley Maitland-Niles could replace Granit Xhaka in the team.
Arteta has been impressed by Maitland-Niles, and has said that the Arsenal midfielder could get his chance to play regularly.
Xhaka is set to be on the sidelines for up to three months due to a knee injury.
Arteta told Football.London about Maitland-Niles potentially replacing Xhaka: “Ainsley is certainly one of the options and we have used him quite a lot in the start of the season and he’s doing really well and I’m pleased with what I’ve seen from him.”
Ainsley Maitland-Niles to replace Granit Xhaka?
Xhaka is an important player for Arsenal, and it will be interesting to see who replaces the Switzerland international midfielder in the team.
Albert Sambi Lokonga has done well when he has been called into action this season, and there is a very good chance that he will start alongside Thomas Partey in the middle of the park.
However, it seems that Arteta has been really impressed by Maitland-Niles.
That should be very encouraging for the 24-year-old, who can play in midfield or as a full-back.
The England international is a very good player who knows the Premier League well.
If Maitland-Niles gets the chance, then he has to make the most of it.
Partey is one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League, and Maitland-Niles will have to raise his level if he is to feature alongside him regularly.
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