Our View: £52,000-a-week Arsenal man has every right to be furious over what Arteta has done

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Back in the summer, Ainsley Maitland-Niles let out his frustration on Instagram as he struggled for game time at Arsenal.

The 24-year-old started just five Premier League games last season, and his lack of action under Mikel Arteta was clearly getting to him.

Eventually, Maitland-Niles sat down with the Spaniard to hold clear-the-air talks, in which Arteta stressed how important the England international is (The Athletic).

Now, you could argue that the Arsenal boss is mocking the Hale End graduate.

Mikel Arteta has been harsh on Ainsley Maitland-Niles

So far this season, Maitland-Niles has only made two Premier League starts, but he shone in the most recent of those against Watford.

The Arsenal No.15 made five tackles, as well as two clearances and two interceptions against the Hornets (WhoScored).

Maitland-Niles also embarked on two successful dribbles, and registered one key pass.

Despite that, he’s only been given 37 minutes of action since that Man of the Match display, and not a single start in any competition.

What sort of reward is that for his standout display against Watford?

Ainsley Maitland-Niles should leave Arsenal in January

If we were Maitland-Niles, we’re not sure we’d be able to trust Arteta again.

How can the Gunners boss sit down with the £52,000-a-week man and stress how important he is, before going on to leave him on the bench most weeks?

His excellent display against Watford seemed to be a turning point, but Arteta has now crushed any momentum that game would’ve built up.

Now, with January on the horizon, we feel Maitland-Niles should look to kickstart his career elsewhere – he clearly isn’t needed under Arteta.