Maitland-Niles deserves more Arsenal recognition for handling Salah and Coutinho
AINSLEY MAITLAND-NILES justified his inclusion in the Arsenal side last night with a competent performance against a rapid-fire Liverpool attack.
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Granted, Arsenal leaked three goals at could have been five down at half time.
But Maitland-Niles was not to blame for their consolations on a night that will go a long way to developing his footballing talent.
The road has been long for Maitland-Niles. It has been three years since he made his Gunners debut away to Galatasaray in the Champions League and he’s not exactly had much game time since.
Unlike Hector Bellerin, who was an immediate hit at the Emirates when he graduated from the academy, Maitland-Niles has had to bide his time for minutes on the pitch.
This was Maitland-Niles’ 12th start of the season and for the first time he secured a third league outing in succession - he is fast becoming Arsene Wenger’s go-to man at the back.
He was included in the league draw at West Ham and win over Newcastle, while crucially being left out of the EFL Cup in midweek.
If there’s one signifier that you’re an important player it’s not being given the nod in that competition.
Maitland-Niles was at his competent best last night. Tasked with handling Mohamed Salah and Philippe Coutinho down the Liverpool right flank, he didn’t look out of place.
Yes, it was he who lost the ball up field that led to Salah’s goal. But Arsenal cannot operate without their full-backs moving forward at least some of the time, and the covering Jack Wilshere was equally at fault for not tracking Salah.
And remember, Salah and Coutinho are probably worth £250m combined in today’s ridiculous market, so for the Arsenal product to stand up to them and hold his own is commendable.
Indeed, Maitland-Niles had the better of Egypt international Salah on a number of occasions, at one point getting a standing ovation when he dispossessed his man in the opening minutes.
Arsenal fans before kick off were bemoaning Maitland-Niles’ inclusion but afterwards have to admit he justified that place.
He may not be their long-term answer at left-back or in a three-man defence, but Arsenal need the versatility players like Maitland-Niles have if they are ever going to compete in a future title race.
