Maitland-Niles relieved to seize Arsenal first-team chance

With manager Arsene Wenger short of options in the centre of his midfield, Ainsley Maitland-Niles has grabbed his opportunity with both hands.

Wenger fielded an inexperienced central three in the FA Cup against Southampton as Maitland-Niles teamed up with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jeff Reine-Adelaide and the England youth international sparkled.

During the 5-0 romp, where Danny Welbeck scored two and Theo Walcott bagged a hat-trick, Maitland-Niles racked up the most tackles, the most interceptions and the most passes of any of the Gunners on show.

With Arsenal experiencing a crowded February schedule, they play Sutton in the FA Cup and Bayern Munich in the Champions League as well as a host of Premier League games, Maitland-Niles is likely to get another chance.

And the former Ipswich loan star is determined to make the most of any opportunities he is handed by Wenger.

“I thought the team liked to press from the start, we tried to do that as much as possible so I think it was just the first 10 minutes that got us going and the rest took care of itself,” he said.

(Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

“We had to because we know we’re out of one cup already, so we need to make the most of our chances in this one.

“I prefer to play centre midfield than right back, but I’m happy to do a job for the team.

“All the boys said congratulations and well done so I’m guessing I played well and I feel that I played well as well, so I’m happy with my performance.

“You’re just in the centre of everything and most of it was going through me today, so I just like to be involved in the play really.”