Arsenal have secured the long term future of attacking midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles by getting him to put pen to paper on a new contract at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners confirmed via their official Twitter account, as well as their official website, that the young Premier League maestro has signed a new contract to extend his stay at the Emirates, and will now wear the Number 15 shirt.
New season, new contract, new number.
Get your @Ains_7 shirt ? https://t.co/XRihKEbj2z pic.twitter.com/PlB3Ig8azG
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) June 12, 2018
The 20-year-old, who managed to make 15 top flight appearances last season to total 17 Premier League matches and 38 outings across all competitions for the club, is one of the brightest young talents with the Gunners, and is able to play in both a wing role, covering either flank, or in a central midfield position.
OPINION
Having made 28 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal last season, it is easy to see why the club have offered a new contract for him to remain at the Emirates. At 20, he has done remarkably well for a top-level club and is undoubtedly at the top of his game, which can only improve as he gets older. He has the experience to compete as a first team starter at Arsenal, even amongst the new signings that arrive, as he knows the club inside out having made his Champions League debut at the age of 17. The 4 capped England Under 21’s international is very versatile in the midfield too, and will help stablise the defence in the forthcoming season. Former boss Arsene Wenger was right to give the youngster many opportunities at the Emirates, and hopefully Wenger’s replacement Unai Emery will have the same thinking as his French predecessor. Maitland-Niles can only get better for Arsenal here on out.