The Future of Arsenal – Ainsley Maitland-Niles

The future and the present 

The acquisition of Lucas Torreira is expected to be announced imminently following the conclusion of this World Cup.  Torreira had an excellent season with Sampodoria and has also enjoyed a prodigious spell with the Uruguayan National Team who will next face France in the quarterfinals of the competition.  With a deal hashed out prior to the outset of the World cup, his performances have the Arsenal faithful concerned that his stock may be rising with each game played and there are already rumblings that Sampodoria may be considering a U turn.
Embed from Getty Images
But if the deal were to fall through, it wouldn’t necessarily be the worst thing for the Emirates faithful.  Torreira started his break through season last year at the tender age of 21.  Given the opportunity to play regularly at Sampodoria he was able to prove himself a genuine prospect.  But the point is he was given the opportunity to shine.

Insert Maitland-Niles

Ainsley Maitland-Niles is the best prospect to come out of the Arsenal youth system in years.  Maybe ever.  At the start of the 2018/19 season he will turn 21, and although he has already shown his potential, he needs regular premiere league game time to truly arrive.  The Arsenal hierarchy seem to appreciate his potential handing him a longterm contract this spring, but the question remains whether he will be given the opportunity he has earned.
Embed from Getty Images

Granit Xhaka has recently been handed a longterm extension to his contract, and it is anticipated Aaron Ramsey will follow suit.  Mohamed Elneny seems poised to stay at the club as well.  This leaves little room in the midfield for Maitland-Niles.  He received opportunities last season filling in for Nacho Monreal at left back, but it is in the centre of midfield where his true potential lies.  And there is no reason given his enormous capabilities that he should not be playing ahead of Elneny, Xhaka, and even Torreira who will cost close to £30 mil.

Watching Lucas Torreira play for his country it is hard not to hope he will join the North London side at the conclusion of the World Cup, but It is also time for Maitland-Niles to have his chance.  Where they both fit into Unai Emery’s plans will remain to be seen.  But for a player who has the potential to fill the longtime empty boots of Patrick Vierra and perhaps one day even captain England, we can hope this is the year that he is afforded the opportunity to shine.  Yes, these things were all said about Jack Wilshere and we know how that turned out, but things seem very different with Maitland-Niles.  Hopefully Unai Emery will see that he is not just a player for the future, but a player for now!