Maitland-Niles may have played his last game for Arsenal after Sky reveal – pundit
Ainsley Maitland-Niles will be “dying to leave Arsenal”, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England attacker delivered his verdict as Maitland-Niles closes in on a loan move to Roma.
Sky Sports reported on Monday (27 December) that the utility player is set to join Jose Mourinho’s side until the end of the season.
Roma are in desperate need of full-back reinforcements and the 24-year-old could revive his career in the Italian capital as Tammy Abraham has done.
Maitland-Niles wanted to leave Arsenal in the summer window but the club blocked a loan move to Everton.
He stayed at the Emirates but has managed just two Premier League starts this season.
Asked whether this signals the end of Maitland-Niles’ time at Arsenal, Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “I think so, yes.
“He will be dying to leave Arsenal. He was getting in the England squad at one stage.
“He wants to play games, he’s not one of those players who is happy at a big club and not playing, he wants to play football.
“He’s never going to get game time at Arsenal. He’s a good player but he’s not where Arsenal want to go.
“It suits both parties. You’ve got an unhappy player, go and let him play some football.”
Maitland-Niles, who has five England caps, spent the second half of last season on loan with West Brom.
He is under contract with the Gunners until the end of next season.
In other news, a finance guru has revealed Arsenal have been hit by a ‘PR’ disaster after a deal for the ‘next big thing’ backfires.