Promising Arsenal youngster Ainsley Maitland-Niles has travelled with the Arsenal squad to face Stoke City tomorrow, and is expected to be on the bench according to Jeorge Bird.
Maitland-Niles is pictured above, jostling in training with Aaron Ramsey. Perhaps a suggestion that he could play a central role for the first team?
If you don’t follow the youth teams, you won’t know about Maitland-Niles – but he is very talented and highly thought of amongst club staff.
The 17-year-old is yet to play for the first team, but has trained with them on several occasions over the last few weeks. He developed as a winger but this season has played in the centre of midfield. He has plenty of pace and his ability to play across the whole of midfield and even up front could be the reason why Arsene Wenger has chosen to fast-track him into first team action.
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If he does feature on the bench, it’s very unlikely he will actually get on the pitch. But the first team inclusion will provide an experience for the player, and backing from Arsene Wenger which much be brilliant for him.
With Jack Wilshere out long-term and Mikel Arteta and Abou Diaby injured –Â Maitland-Niles could earn central midfield chances over the coming weeks – and is likely to be in the squad to face Galatasaray on Tuesday.
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