Ainsley Maitland-Niles to leave Arsenal on free transfer
Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles has confirmed he will the club leave as a free agent in summer following the conclusion of his loan at Southampton.
The England international joined Arsenal at the age of six and has made 132 appearances for the club since 2014. But with his contract up in summer, he will now take his career elsewhere.
Previously hailed by Mikel Arteta for his versatility, he played in both full-back positions and across midfield. Having made his first-team debut aged 17, his most successful spell for the club came in the early months after Arteta took over as manager in December of 2019. The Spaniard deployed him as a left wing-back, helping the Gunners to FA Cup success in 2020.
However, Maitland-Niles later fell out of favour. He has since been on loan at West Bromwich Albion and Roma, before joining Southampton for the current season back in September.
“It’s been a great journey but it has come to an end now [at Arsenal],” he told The Athletic.
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“It’s time for a fresh start and to find a new home. I’m looking forward to that but, at the same time, my head’s not quite there yet and it’s all about what’s happening now with Southampton.
“I’m just fully focused on trying to help us stay up and stay positive on a day-to-day basis and win games. When the time gets closer towards the end of the season, I’ll have something else to think about. But right now, I’m just focused on football and the task at hand.
“Southampton is a great club to be at and progress and get some minutes under my belt. Of course, if they were to make an offer, I’ll be more than happy to stay.”
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On this edition of The Chronicles of a Gooner, part of the 90min podcast network, Harry Symeou looks back on Arsenal 3-3 Southampton in the Premier League and the effect the result will have on the Gunners' title aspirations. If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!