Ainsley Maitland-Niles can now save Edu from Arsenal embarrassment

Follow us on Google Discover

Arsenal may have something of a midfield problem in the coming weeks – and Ainsley Maitland-Niles may be able to come to the rescue.

The Gunners surprisingly only added one new central midfielder over the summer, with Albert Sambi Lokonga arriving from Anderlecht.

Lokonga has shown real potential for Arsenal, but remains one for the future – even if he will now be called into action.

Technical director Edu has put himself in the firing line with some questionable moves at Arsenal, and his latest comments have left fans scratching their heads.

Edu claimed to Sky Sports that he didn’t go for another midfielder because Arsenal have enough in that area with Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny and new boy Lokonga.

Edu didn’t feel Arsenal needed another player because Xhaka and Partey will start most games, but that it looks like neither will be able to start this weekend.

Xhaka is suspended after his red card against Manchester City, whilst Partey is only just coming back from injury and Elneny has picked up a knock on international duty.

Add in that Partey and Elneny may be off to the Africa Cup of Nations in January, and that decision not to sign a midfielder – and publicly state that it was the right decision – could look a little embarrassing.

That’s where Maitland-Niles may be able to spare the Brazilian’s blushes.

Exiled from first-team training last week having publicly tried to engineer a transfer, Maitland-Niles was told he is still wanted at Arsenal and will play this season.

Is that going to happen at right back? Probably not now new signing Takehiro Tomiyasu has arrived, with Cedric Soares and Calum Chambers also available in that role.

Maitland-Niles has long wanted to play in midfield, and that’s where he featured for West Bromwich Albion last season too.

Arsenal are somewhat scrambling for a midfield option against Norwich this weekend and may well be during AFCON in January.

Maitland-Niles may not be the most exciting player in that area of the pitch, but the Gunners may need him to step in and help after Edu’s decision not to make a signing.