Arsenal news: Gunners make double announcement as Ainsley Maitland-Niles pens new deal
ARSENAL have announced midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles has signed a long-term contract extension with the club.
Maitland-Niles broke into the Arsenal team on a regular basis last season under Arsene Wenger, making 28 appearances in a variety of positions and the academy graduate has been rewarded with a new deal and a new shirt number.
Arsenal have also announced Maitland-Niles will wear the number 15 shirt, last worn by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
When Arsenal confirmed the arrival of Unai Emery, chief executive Ivan Gazidis revealed the coach had presented a detailed dossier on Maitland-Niles.
“You don’t really hear a lot of young players being shouted out by their managers, especially a new manager who hasn’t really seen them play too much,” Maitland-Niles told Arsenal Player.
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It means a lot with the new head coach coming in and Arsenal tying me down [with a new contract]. I’m very pleased
“I think it’s brilliant to hear from him and it gives me a load of confidence.
“It feels fantastic knowing that I’m going to be a part of the squad, and a big part of the squad.
“It means a lot with the new head coach coming in and Arsenal tying me down [with a new contract]. I’m very pleased.
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“We had a little meeting. He said that he wants all of his players to work hard and I’m no stranger to doing that. It will be second nature to me.
“I think [the high-pressing game] suits me a lot, too.
“I’ve got a lot of pace to give to the team, pressing up high and winning the ball back as soon as possible is a major factor in football.”