Many Arsenal fans were disappointed when it was recently reported that Ainsley Maitland-Niles was nearing a move to Wolves.The versatile player, 23, came through Arsenal’s academy and has earned a key place in the first-team, making 32 appearances in all competitions last season.It came as a surprise to hear that the Gunners were ready to offload Maitland-Niles, especially given the fact that he isn’t taken up much of the club’s wage bill.However, the Daily Mail have since claimed that Arsenal are considering making a U-turn on their decision to sell Maitland-Niles.Mikel Arteta clearly values him, starting him in last-season’s FA Cup semi-final and final.And he also started in Arsenal’s Community Shield win over Liverpool on Saturday.
Maitland-Niles made a significant contribution to Arsenal’s success, scoring from the spot in the game-deciding penalty shootout.While Liverpool’s Rhian Brewster showed how nerves can affect a young player, there was nothing of the sort from Maitland-Niles.He casually strolled up to the ball and tucked it away with ridiculous confidence.
You think he was nervous?
It wasn’t the first time that Maitland-Niles has scored a penalty for the Gunners, and a compilation video has emerged proving his calmness from 12 yards isn’t anything new.
That Panenka penalty against Atletico Madrid in 2018 was just outrageous.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is Arsenal's chief penalty-taker but in Maitland-Niles, he has a talented player behind him in the pecking order.