Paul Merson has praised Arsenal-owned midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles on Sky Sports News (5:26pm, March 18, 2023) for his performance for Southampton against Antonio Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
The Sky Sports pundit was impressed by the display produced by Maitland-Niles, on loan at Southampton from Arsenal at the moment, against Tottenham at St. Mary’s Stadium.
The former Arsenal star noted that the 25-year-old came on as a substitute in the first half and played in central defence.
Maitland-Niles generally plays as a midfielder and can also operate as a full-back.
The 25-year-old came on in the 34th minute.
Southampton and Tottenham played out a 3-3 draw in the Premier League game.
It was not always easy for Maitland-Niles because he was playing in an unfamiliar position.
And that Tottenham scored three goals against the Saints shows that the home team were not great defensively.
However, Maitland-Niles did his best, leaving Merson impressed.
According to WhoScored, the 25-year-old took one shot which was on target, had a pass accuracy of 92.9%, won one header, took 56 touches, and made one tackle, one interception and five clearances.
Paul Merson on Arsenal-owned Ainsley Maitland-Niles for Southampton vs Tottenham Hotspur
Merson said: “I have just got to say. Maitland-Niles came on and played at the back, centre-half.
“I thought he was very good. They lost their two centre-halves very early on in the first half, so to come on and played where he played, I think he did very well.”
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