Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has raved about Ainsley Maitland-Niles following the match against Watford, as quoted in Football.London.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles stars for Arsenal
Arteta has said that Maitland-Niles has changed now and is doing all the things he wants the Arsenal midfielder to do.
The Arsenal boss has explained why he did not allow the 24-year-old to leave for Everton in the summer transfer window.
The England international midfielder – who earns £52,000 per week as salary, according to Spotrac – was arguably the best player, as Arsenal beat Watford 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium yesterday.
Maitland-Niles took one shot which was not on target, played one key pass, had a pass accuracy of 85.3%, won one header, took 48 touches, attempted one dribble, and made five tackles, two intercessions and two clearances.
Mikel Arteta’s verdict
Arteta told Football.London about Maitland-Niles: “I’ve seen a different player in terms of his urgency, his commitment.
“We made a decision that was clear with what I was seeing, because he was going to be useful.
“He has a huge talent and he is versatile to play in almost any position on the pitch.
“Today we made use of him to do what he had to do in the game which was really important.”
Encouraging for Ainsley Maitland-Niles
Maitland-Niles has always reportedly wanted to play in midfield, and he did so in the Premier League game yesterday.
The 24-year-old was brilliant as well.
Arteta’s comments about Maitland-Niles will certainly encourage the England international.
It shows just how highly Arteta rates him.
It also indicated that Maitland-Niles, who can also play as a full-back, will get more chances in the coming weeks and months.
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