Plenty of Arsenal fans were left impressed with Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ display against Bournemouth in Mikel Arteta’s first game in charge on Thursday.
The 22-year-old made a third consecutive league start for the Gunners, helping Arteta’s side to a 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium.
Top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang saved the Spaniard in the second half with a smart finish, but it was Maitland-Niles’ performance that had many talking.
@ltarsenal shared their views on the versatile youngster’s Boxing Day display, comparing the Englishman to a role Kyle Walker plays at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola.
Twitter: Ainsley Maitland Niles was good today. Even though he injured Sokratis, that was a goal saving clearance. His posit… https://t.co/ziiVw8XNTN (@ltarsenal)
Their post led to these Arsenal fans heaping praise on the defender.
Twitter: @ltarsenal Been superb since coming back (@Broly_9)
Twitter: @ltarsenal I actually think he could be a better player in that type of role than Bellerin. I think AMN has better… https://t.co/rKFlveksTv (@StockAlot1)
Twitter: @ltarsenal I agree (@Kleb82)
Twitter: @ltarsenal @RossBain3 Yes inverted winger. It was beautiful. (@fritznordin)
Twitter: @ltarsenal Love the role he play today. Massive improvement from him (@wale071)
Read Arsenal verdict
Arteta has been tipped to work wonders with the club’s young stars, and it looks as if he’s already been working very closely with Maitland-Niles.
Maitland-Niles can play as a winger, full-back or in the middle of midfield, but with the Gunners currently short in the full-back department, it looks as if the Spaniard believes he can evolve the youngster into a Walker-like figure in north London.
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