Kevin Campbell told the Same Old Arsenal podcast that Ainsley Maitland-Niles only played against Crystal Palace last time out because Mikel Arteta is ‘just trying to get him a game’.
The Highbury favourite and Sky Sports pundit labelled Maitland-Niles’ situation as ‘crazy’ because he feels the Arsenal academy product needs to play more.
Whilst Maitland-Niles played at left-back against Palace, the versatile defender has only started four league matches prior to that weekend fixture this season.
Campbell touched upon Maitland-Niles’ situation at Arsenal and how Arteta is just seemingly using him for the sake of it.
“Maybe he is just trying to get him a game,” said Campbell. “You think about it. He played at Everton and he was our best player by a country mile, Maitland-Niles at right-back.
“But then we don’t see him until [Palace]. It’s crazy.”
Maitland-Niles can be used in the middle of the park, on the wing or at right-back, but it seems Arteta cannot find a place for him in his XI despite the England international having such versatility in his game.
If Arsenal were flying high and sitting near the top of the league then it’s understandable as to why the 23-year-old was sitting on the bench for so long.
But given some of the defensive performances that Arsenal have produced this season, it begs the question as to why he hasn’t earned more minutes.
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