Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles made a key contribution in Thursday’s 3-0 win against Rennes by scoring the second goal.
The 21-year-old has been getting regular game time under manager Unai Emery as a wingback recently, particularly with Hector Bellerin out for the season.
Fans on Twitter believe Maitland-Niles’ recent displays are deserving of praise:
AMN get better game by game and will become a regular first team we for years to come
— Masked Gunner (@onemaskedgunner) 15 March 2019
maitland -niles is going to be a very important player for the gunners going forward.he has really stepped up.impressive
— brian wattanga (@BWattanga) 15 March 2019
— Jamian Manning (@officialblkrngr) 15 March 2019
Future captain ???
— Nick Stevens (@gooner123s) 15 March 2019
The pride of Arsenal
— P. (@PeterKovacs_) 15 March 2019
He should be starting every n each game. He is the only english player right now..and even more he has shown his class against man utd and tonight too…make him regular
— Mr.Liberty (@Vj_econ) 15 March 2019
Maitland-Niles been fantastic last two games
— Hunchö (@ArsenalHuncho) 15 March 2019
Maitland Niles >>> Bellerin
— Austin_ (@owuoraustin) 15 March 2019
Remember when y’all were slating Maitland Niles? Look what he’s become. Give the guy some time, he has truly got the quality to be become a top top player.
— Mahan (@TheFrenchDefoe) 15 March 2019
Maitland Niles is some player, 21 one years old, back from broken leg, doesnt play in his natural position, never moans, never hides and always showing passiomn and charachter on the pitch, I think we might have a future Arsenal captain here
— GoonerDub (@johnanthonyr4) 15 March 2019
The winger is certainly showing signs of maturity in recent months, and he seems to be improving with every game he plays.
Maitland-Niles’ most prominent displays have come in high-pressure games as well. He scored the opening goal against Liverpool back in December, before the Reds came back to win 5-1.
He also performed very well against Manchester United last weekend in the 2-0 win, before putting in another good performance as the Gunners progressed through to the Europa League quarter-finals.
Arsenal supporters will want to see Maitland-Niles kick on from here, and perform consistently well for the rest of the season. If he does, he could give Bellerin a run for his money to be the club’s first choice on the right-hand side next campaign.
