The Future of Ainsley Maitland-Niles at Arsenal

Gidday and welcome to my first ever blog! Thank you, thank you, thank you for taking the time. How bloody good is it that we can share opinions, conversation and banter all thanks to the good ole interweb

Let’s get down to the topic of convo for today – Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

The Mindset

• 

It’s a hugely well known fact that AMN fancies himself as a central midfielder and is fairly determined to make a name for himself in the middle of the park. Fair play to the lad. Ambition is super high, and he obviously believes in himself to the highest power, which is absolutely necessary to succeed at the top level. He hasn’t been able to knock it out of the park at CM for Arsenal and it’s pretty clear with the signing of Lokongo and resigning of Xhaka that he is not going to be given the luxury. So we have three options. Sell, loan with a view to sell or the answer for me – to shift him to right back.

Now this is down to Arteta. Whilst AMN is with Arsenal he is still Arteta’s man and will do what’s required as a young professional who is still eager to progress and perform. Mikel can take charge of the situation, much like he did with keeping Ozil on the sideline; and make the decision for AMN that if he is going to succeed at Arsenal it will be as a right back. The importance this could have to our future success is paramount to the move. Let’s take a look.

The right back position under Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta has shown us how he wants to play tactically moving into the new season based off preseason fixtures so far and last season’s games. Kieran Tierney (or Nuno Taveras when filling in) will bomb down the left creating width and drive; whilst our right back will tuck in more centrally into midfield whilst providing support underneath the right winger who will start wider (this suits both Pepe and Saka – isolating them against their full back and allowing them more space to take on their man).

If we look at our current right backs this job suits Ainsley Maitland -Niles down to the ground. Able to use his pace and athleticism as a right back both defensively and occasionally overlapping. But most importantly utilises his calmness, composure and technical skills (what he believes should place him in central midfield) to allow him to tuck in slightly more centrally and contribute to the build up play rather than 1 v 1s on the right wing and making crosses.

There is more to this move than just what Ainsley Maitland – Niles can do on the ball. By having one of the full backs tuck into central midfield it allows more balance across the pitch and will ensure that if play breaks down we are in a position to stop the counter attack and have a smooth defensive transition. With the 2 centre backs, Maitland Niles and one centre midfielder forming a box or defensive shape under the ball we will be far more resistant to being broken down on transition. If we think back over the years of how many times we concede on the counter attack with both full backs high and only the central defenders back it is ridiculous. Again Ainsley Maitland – Niles fits the bill here because his pace allows him to make up so much ground if the counter attack beats the initial block.

Let’s see how this one pans out over the next few weeks. Whatever the case with AMN the tactical idea Arteta is working with here is one that could provide us with stability to push towards the top four this season!

Please leave me a comment below if you enjoyed the read. I’m open to critique so please let me know your thoughts on the first blog.. It’s only up from here right? Signing off from sunny NZ! See you next time.

• Twitter