Arsenal were brought back to earth in disappointing fashion last weekend.Following a run of games where they'd risen up the table, beating and drawing with Wolves and Leicester in the process, they suffered defeat in the most important match of the season.That happened to be in the north London derby as Spurs beat the Gunners 2-1.That defeat all but ended their hopes of securing Champions League football next season, also putting their plans of another term in the Europa League in doubt.It was a horrible result for Mikel Arteta and a bitter pill to swallow in his first taste of managing a derby of that magnitude. Concentrations now turn to Liverpool in midweek and then Manchester City in the FA Cup at the weekend.It has been a nightmare run for Arsenal and it's showing no signs of getting any easier.
Arsenal have also had off-field battles to keep some of their most important players too.Bukayo Saka signed a new deal a few weeks ago but one player who does look as though he'll be departing this summer is Ainsley Maitland-Niles.Another player out of the Gunners academy, it appears he has lost patience in his battle to secure first-team football.The news was revealed by David Ornstein on Tuesday evening as he took to Twitter to reveal the 22-year-old was looking for a way out of the club.The Athletic journalist confirmed there was interest from abroad in Maitland-Niles services.
Maitland-Niles has recently been moved into a more central position by Arteta but it looks as though he isn't convinced about his game time in the future.
GIVEMSPORT'S Matt Dawson says...
This will hardly come as a surprise to those with close ties to the north London side.
Maitland-Niles was unhappy with the club earlier in the season when Unai Emery refused to play him in his preferred position.
It led to a passionate interview where he declared he wasn't a defender, issuing pleas to feature in the middle of the park.
However, those opportunities haven't been forthcoming, even under Arteta, who axed him for failing to meet the Spaniard's expectations.
The youngster has come off the bench and featured minimally in the middle of the park but it's at right-back or right-wing back where he's been preferred.
It feels like a long time ago now that Maitland-Niles starred in midfield at Old Trafford and since that moment, he hasn't really been given a fair opportunity in his favourite position.
It's a shame things haven't worked out but at the age of 22, he needs to nail down his position and also earn first-team football.
The versatile player's contract doesn't expire until 2023 so Arsenal will hopefully be able to secure a good fee for his services.