Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has singled out Ainsley Maitland-Niles for praise following his heroics in last night’s FA Cup win over Manchester City.
Maitland-Niles got a rare 90 minutes under his belt as Arteta’s side beat the reigning champions 2-0 to move into the final of the competition.
This was only the 22-year-old’s second time making a first XI under Arteta in any competition since January.
But the academy product vindicated the Spaniard with a superb all-action display on the left-hand side of attack.
It was something of a masterstroke by Arteta, given that Maitland-Niles is predominantly a full-back, meaning the Gunners’ had double protection on that left side, along with Kieran Tierney.
And the 38-year-old admitted that his player was ‘magnificent’ yesterday, claiming that his performances in training as of late convinced him that he deserved a spot in the first XI.
Arteta told Arsenal’s website: “Absolutely, [he was magnificent]. And I was sure about that with the way he’s training, the way he’s changed his mentality and his mindset.
“He has everything, he has great qualities, I believe in him. I had to give him opportunities and today he took it with both arms. He had a really good performance.”
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