Pundit makes Maitland-Niles prediction after behind-the-scenes Arsenal reveal
Ainsley Maitland-Niles still has the opportunity to break into the Arsenal first team, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England attacker claimed Maitland-Niles still needs to be more consistent for Arsenal.
The versatile midfielder revealed on Instagram the day before deadline day, via BBC Sport, that he wanted to go to a club where he will be able to play.
However, a move failed to materialise and he will stay with Mikel Arteta's side until at least January.
The London Evening Standard reported on 31 August the Arsenal boss held clear the air talks with Maitland-Niles as a result of the saga.
Asked whether he could break into Arteta's side at the Emirates, Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: "It depends on how others perform.
"He'll definitely be back in first-team training.
"If others don't perform then I'm sure he'll be given a chance and he's got to take his chance straight away.
"100 per cent he's got the quality. Even Maitland-Niles would agree that he's been inconsistent in his Arsenal career. In one game he will be outstanding, the next game he'll be quiet.
"He's got to get that consistency in his game that a lot of the Arsenal side need to do, to be honest."
Maitland-Niles has featured in one Premier League game so far this season - a substitute appearance against Man City just before the international break.
He spent the second half of last season on loan at West Brom who suffered relegation to the Championship.