Arsenal vs Burnley: What about Ainsley Maitland-Niles?

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Ainsley Maitland-Niles is currently cut adrift within the Arsenal structure. He is now a backup for three different positions. The 22-year-old-needs stability, and soon. He should play against Burnley.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles is a fantastic player, and has excelled at right-back for Arsenal this season. However, as Hector Bellerin has returned to the starting XI, and seemingly taken the starting spot of late—he is our only true right back after all—the Englishman has yet again found himself as a backup.

In addition, Arsenal seem keyed to sign Cedric Souares of Southampton, which puts Maitland-Niles’ place firmly in the midfield. That’s a good thing, in part, because he has demonstrated the want to play there, over and over again. But he will also struggle for playing time, especially because our fitness problems center at the back, and our midfield is rather healthy.