Arsenal have ordered Ainsley Maitland-Niles to train away from the first team after he went public with his desire to leave the club on Monday, according to reports. Maitland-Niles posted on social media insisting he just wanted to move where he felt ‘wanted’ and is believed to want further talks with Mikel Arteta before Tuesday’s 11pm deadline.
The versatile midfielder has not been a big part of Arteta’s plans since the Spaniard replaced Unai Emery just before Christmas in 2019.
He spent the second half of last season on loan at West Brom and impressed, despite their relegation from the Premier League.
Maitland-Niles has since been linked with a move to Everton but Arsenal reportedly blocked the move so that he could provide back-up to the senior squad.
The 24-year-old posted a stinging Instagram post following the decision. “All I wanna do is go where I’m wanted and where I’m gonna play,” he wrote.
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However, the team is yet to gel and Arteta will hope that the international break has come at a good time.
The £50m capture of Ben White from Brighton remains their biggest outlay on a single player this season. The defender played once before testing positive for COVID-19.
Arsenal have also signed Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares, Martin Odegaard and Aaron Ramsdale. It remains to be seen whether Maitland-Niles will earn his move to Everton or elsewhere.
After being thrashed by City, Arteta thanked supporters for sticking by the team during a difficult period.
“To the fans all I can say is thank you so much. We have 3,000 fans here, they were absolutely fantastic and in condition with the team throughout the game,” he told reporters after the game.
“That’s why you saw the reaction after the game. All the players and myself, we have to do that and say thank you, because this doesn’t happen very often in football and we have to value what they’ve done today.”
Asked if he was the man to turn Arsenal’s form around, Arteta replied: “Yes I do. If not I wouldn’t be sitting here.”