AINSLEY MAITLAND-NILES has been told he is still part of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal plans despite being banished from training on Tuesday.
The 24-year-old England international lashed out on social media after a proposed loan move to Everton was blocked by the Gunners.
That prompted an angry text message from Arteta to inform the player that he would not be allowed to train with the first team squad this week.
But the duo held clear-the-air talks this afternoon and have agreed to settle their differences.
Maitland-Niles is desperate to revive his flagging career after being sent out on loan to West Brom last season.
He won five England caps as a wing-back last year but failed to make Gareth Southgate’s squad for this summer’s Euros.
And in spite of assurances that he will get first team opportunities with Arsenal this season, his prospects have not been helped by the deadline day signing of £19.5million full-back Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Having failed to make the starting line-up for any of Arsenal’s opening four games of the season, he is now wondering when his chance will come.
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He was made aware of Everton’s loan offer with an option to buy on Sunday and was originally told that he would be allowed to move.
But Arteta changed his mind on Monday, leading to Maitland-Niles taking to Instagram to declare: “All I wanna do is go where I’m wanted and where I’m gonna play.”
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He still has two years remaining on Emirates contract .
And Maitland-Niles now faces a four-way fight with Tomiyasu, Calum Chambers and Cedric Soares to solve the right-back problem which has proved to be such a headache for Arsenal this season.
And if he does not get the game time he wants he could yet review his position in January.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
