‘I like him’: Bent backs Arsenal man to leave amid rumours of imminent departure

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Darren Bent has backed Ainsley Maitland-Niles to leave Arsenal amid rumours that he is close to making a switch to Wolves.

Boyhood Arsenal fan, Bent, admitted that he is a big fan on the versatile player, but he thinks he should ‘go elsewhere’ because he needs to start earning regular game time, as he told talkSPORT (23/08/20 at 3:50 pm).

Sky Sports have reported that Wolves are in advanced talks to sign Maitland-Niles from the Emirates Stadium, with the 22-year-old set to sign a four-year deal for around £20 million.

Maitland-Niles wasn’t a regular under Mikel Arteta, but when he was brought into the starting XI, he impressed on a number of occasions and Bent touched upon that.

“I do like Maitland-Niles though,” Bent told talkSPORT. “I really like Maitland-Niles. I think he did a great job whilst Bellerin was out at right-back. I like him in midfield.

“I think he has got to an age now where he has got to start playing week in and week out. He comes in and fills in this position and that position. He needs a steady run in a team.

“Whether that’s at Arsenal or Wolves, it remains to be seen. But I do like Maitland-Niles. But I do think it’s time for him to go elsewhere and start getting some more game time.”

Whether he is playing at right-back, left-back, or coming into the middle of the park, Maitland-Niles has dealt with some high-quality attackers during this past season.

His versatility in a Nuno Espirito Santo system will no doubt take his game to the next level because he could play in a back three, as a wing-back or in the middle of the park.

The Arsenal academy product has the pace and defensive awareness to play in many positions across the backline. Plus, he is pretty comfortable on the ball, and if played as a wing-back, he can drive forward and produce the goods in the attacking third too.