Man Utd and Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ real test to prove he belongs in Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal team

Ainsley Maitland-Niles couldn’t have picked a extra becoming debut after becoming a member of West Brom on mortgage from Arsenal.

Away at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Arsenal man would have been relishing the chance to get one over on the Gunners’ greatest rivals.

Nonetheless, issues didn’t go to plan for the lowly Baggies, with Spurs, welcoming Harry Kane again into the workforce, operating out 2-0 winners on the day.

Maitland-Niles left the Emirates to safe extra recreation time, and significantly in his favoured midfield place, the place he sees his Arsenal future.

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He had, so typically, been utilised in a left-back slot for MIkel Arteta, however needs to showcase his expertise in the course of the park and show he can lower it within the Arsenal beginning lineup.

In opposition to Spurs he was deployed in center by Sam Allardyce, though there’s a feeling that he might effectively have a unique accomplice in there quickly, as one other new signing Okay Yokuslu beds in.

Joseph Chapman, Baggies reporter for our mates at Birmingham Live believes larger checks are to return for Maitland-Niles, larger even than this weekend’s recreation with Manchester United.

He stated: “Maitland-Niles performed in a midfield three of kinds on Sunday, a extra field to field position than I believed he may need. He burst forwards a few times however it was a tough debut in that Albion are a aspect who will inevitably have little on the ball at a spot like Spurs.

“The 4-3-3 / 4-5-1 is a system I can see shortly turning into a 4-2-3-1 when Matheus Pereira is introduced again into the beginning XI and so I predict that Maitland-Niles will probably be one of many two in entrance of the defence together with fellow beginner Okay Yokuslu.

“That’ll go well with Albion. Romaine Sawyers and Jake Livermore have struggled for intervals this season and Conor Gallagher is a superb younger participant however doesn’t have as a lot expertise at this degree as Maitland-Niles, so I’d count on the brand new signings to get an opportunity to shine collectively.

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“As I say, I feel it was a difficult recreation during which to make your first begin, however he accomplished 90 minutes which was a constructive by way of the close to future and getting his match health up. He made one key intervention on the sting of Albion’s field as Spurs poured ahead within the first half and he additionally ventured forwards when permitted. Already you’ll be able to see that Maitland-Niles is somebody who may pop up within the field on the again of a run from deep to check the keeper.

“Finally Albion have a cluster of video games developing in opposition to sides above them within the desk which is able to resolve their destiny. It’s in these video games that Maitland-Niles should shine.

“There was promise in his show, however hopefully we’ll see him enhance in circumstances whereby he sees extra of the ball.”