AMN - The Captain of Hale End Must Stay.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles is currently the most senior Hale End graduate in the first team, he's been a wonderful example of how young players must overcome adversity in order to progress to the next level. 

This journey has been highly influenced by a man players refer to as 'Mister'. Mikel Artea is a coach who will test you, your response will tell him everything he needs to know, a player will either sink or swim. It was certainly clear in 2019 that Maitland-Niles stood at that crossroads. 

The reaction of the young Englishman was to produce some eye-catching performances on both sides of the wingback role. The position he played became irrelevant to some extent, what became more important was the impact he was making on the pitch and how vital this became to the functions of the team. 

One of the most notable displays came against the explosive Wolves dangerman Adama Traore, a player that few had been able to contain, Traore had his moments but what really stood out was how Maitland-Niles was able to match him for strength and pace and keep the winger at bay. Another highlight was against the trickery of Riyad Mahrez in the FA Cup Semi Final, the Algerian’s close control and movement posed a different threat but one the Wing back was able to intelligently cope with.

Now as the season has closed there is a temptation to cash in on an asset that will clearly have the interest of many. A player with a mix of quality and versatility could benefit just about any squad. Arteta is of the sound mind that AMN clearly benefits Arsenal and has gone on the record of wanting him to stay. It's easy to see why, given the number of high quality wingers that have struggled in duels with wing-back.

Ainsley represents all of this for Arsenal but also much more, there is a cohort of exciting young players at Colney that may find themselves at similar crossroads in the future. To see how Ainsely rose through the Academy and applied himself  through adversity will be an important example for young players to follow.

The Londoner joined Arsenal at the age of 6 and rapidly progressed through the age groups. His senior debut came at 17 in the Champions League against Galatasaray, however it was evident from his time in the U18s that Arsenal had a player of great talent, capable of performing multiple roles. An important loan at Ipswich added good experience to his toolkit, he was well taken care of under the guidance of Mick McCarthy. The loan proved AMN was physically able to cope with senior football. His return to Arsenal saw some experimentation in his positioning, with Wenger opting to try him at centre back for some pre season games. This helped prepare him for a defensive role in which he learned to excel in. Whilst his time as a full/wing back has had a lot of challenging times, his determination overcame these barriers to the point where it is now where he is most effective on the field.

The FA Cup win was a career highlight for the one they call 'The Birdcatcher' his performance in the semi final and final really symbolised the journey he has been on. Everyone can see how vital he is to the team regardless of whether he starts or has a role coming off the bench.

Arsenal may be able to command a handsome fee for the 22-year old, but what we will lose is a versatile, combative, home-grown talent that is destined for a stellar career.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles Simply Must Stay.