Mikel Arteta played Ainsley Maitland-Niles in midfield during Arsenal’s friendly against Charlton Athletic at the weekend, according to the Daily Mirror.
Maitland-Niles has generally played at right-back for Arsenal in recent times, despite always insisting that he is more comfortable in midfield.
And the youngster was finally given a chance to impress in his favoured position by Arteta on Saturday.
Arsenal ran out 6-0 winners in their first warm-up game ahead of the Premier League’s return, with Eddie Nketiah netting a hat-trick.
But Maitland-Niles’s inclusion in midfield was one of the biggest talking points to come out of the game.
Maitland-Niles has barely been seen since Arteta took charge at the Emirates Stadium, with question marks emerging over his application in training.
It was, therefore, a surprise to see the prospect being given a starring role in Arsenal’s first warm-up game.
The 22-year-old is still clearly young enough to turn around his Arsenal career.
And Arteta’s decision to change his position back to being a midfielder may just give the Gunners’ academy-graduate a lifeline.
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