Arsenal fans have taken to Twitter to react after The Athletic revealed that Ainsley Maitland-Niles gave a motivational speech to the West Brom squad.
The day before West Brom’s 5-2 win over Chelsea on April 3rd, the 23-year-old summoned his teammates in for a meeting.
The Athletic state that Maitland-Niles felt some of the Baggies players had switched off a bit, despite survival still being in reach.
Keen to avoid having a relegation on his CV, the Hale End academy graduate delivered a powerful, 15-minute talk in the Midlands.
Then, West Brom went on to hammer Thomas Tuchel’s formidable Chelsea on their own turf.
Sam Allardyce’s side then beat Southampton 3-0 at the Hawthorns.
Sadly, a defeat to Leicester, before draws against Aston Villa and Wolves, meant the 3-1 defeat against Arsenal on Sunday relegated the Baggies.
However, for Maitland-Niles – a usually quiet presence according to The Athletic‘s article – to speak up was mightily impressive.
Understandably, a number of Arsenals fans loved this.
One supporter said that they now want him back at the Emirates Stadium to partner Thomas Partey in midfield.
Another simply described what Maitland-Niles did as ‘crazy’ in a good way – it’s safe to say the fans below are impressed.
With his loan spell at the Hawthorns set to expire soon, it will be up to Mikel Arteta to decide what to do with the Englishman.
There are plenty of clubs interested in his services, including Everton and Leeds – if the Daily Mail are to be trusted.
In that respect, if Arteta doesn’t want him, then at least the Gunners will be able to get good money for him.
Let’s see what some more Arsenal fans on Twitter had to say about his passionate speech…
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