Maitland-Niles set for Arsenal exit for lack of regular playing time

Arsenal defender Ainsley Maitland-Niles could be on his way out of the club this summer after falling out of favour under Mikel Arteta.

Maitland-Niles has been sparingly used since the arrival of Arteta as manager at the Emirates, with the youngster struggling to hold down a regular first-team spot.

According to Mirror UK citing The Athletic, the 22-year-old feels Arteta does not trust him enough to afford him more game time.

The Gunners’ boss has appeared to prefer Hector Bellerin as his first choice in the right side of his defence, with new signing Cedric Soares providing cover.

Arteta had shown faith in the promising defender during his early days as manager at the club back in December 2019, handing him a starting role in all of his first six matches.

However, Maitland-Niles has played in just four of the 12 games, being limited to just 70 minutes of action in the process.

The Englishman is now believed to have given up hope of returning into Arteta’s first-team plans and could now look elsewhere.

Despite being under contract until 2023, he is hopeful of securing a way out this summer as he continues his development.

It is said clubs in England and Germany are monitoring the wing back’s situation at the north London club.