The Arsenal academy graduate, whose contract runs out in the summer of 2023, has made just two Premier League starts this season.
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Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles has joined Roma on loan until the end of the season. The Arsenal academy graduate, whose contract runs out in the summer of 2023, has made just two Premier League starts this season, but will aim to begin his career in Italy with former Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho, alongside former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham.
“I am just delighted to be here and can’t wait to crack on. I want to help the team and show what I can do as a player,” England international Maitland-Niles said. “Thank you to the fans for the support they have already shown me – I hope we can go on to do something great by the end of the season.”
Mourinho will be hoping that the versatile midfielder, who has played at wing-back and central midfield, can make an impact after a shaky start to the season has Roma in seventh place after 20 games, six points below the top four.
“All I want to do is go where I’m wanted and where I’m gonna play,” Maitland-Niles wrote on Instagram at the start of the season, appealing for a transfer out in the closing days of the summer window after interest from Everton.
However, following candid discussions with manager Mikel Arteta, it was determined that the 24-year-old midfielder would stay at least until January and compete for a spot in the team. Maitland-Niles has battled for game time this season, both at full-back and in central midfield, and he has been sent out on loan for the second straight season.
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Speaking ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup tie at Nottingham Forest, the Gunners manager said: “Ainsley came to me and explained reasons why he thought the best thing for his career is to move away and the opportunity in Rome and working under Jose (Mourinho) was good one.”
“We already had this conversation in the summer and said to reassess in December. When a player has strong argument like he had, it’s very difficult to turn him away. We’re very shot at the moment, but this shouldn’t be the only reason for keeping a player. Ainsley has been developed and raised through our academy and was very patient in many moments in trying to fulfil his dream.”
“He was very straight with me and I understood the situation. Obviously, we’re going to move and look for options as we’re very shot there,” the Arsenal manager added.
