OPINION
Ainsley Maitland-Niles has long been one of the most highly-regarded young players at Arsenal, but now that the 21-year-old is getting regular first-team football, that attitude seems to have changed among many Gunners fans. Maitland-Niles once again started for Unai Emery at right-back – his fourth start in their last five Premier League games – against West Ham on Saturday, but did not put in his best performance, with many fans letting their feelings be known on Twitter after the game. Maitland-Niles really struggled to deal with the likes of Felipe Anderson as the Hammers emerged with a well-deserved 1-0 win thanks to a first senior goal for young star Declan Rice. Maitland-Niles was admittedly poor on the day, but you can’t help but feel some of the criticism that has been sent his way is a bit harsh. He is a young player who is still learning his trade under a new manager, and will need time to show his potential.
This is Futbol have rounded up some of the best tweets below.
Maitland-Niles has been awful so far in the first half…
— Sanket (@SanketGooner) January 12, 2019
Maitland-Niles has been shocking
— ArsenalCreator (@ArsenalCreator1) January 12, 2019
Who gave Maitland-Niles this level of confidence? With rubbish ability btw
— Chibuikem (@Multi_Coloured_) January 12, 2019
Maitland Niles has the urgency of a sloth.
— . (@3sample) January 12, 2019
Why do people rate Maitland-Niles?
— Per (@gunners_chat) January 12, 2019
Maitland-Niles has been superbly and exceptionally poor. Auba anonymous and Xhaka having a mare
— Ade (@mysterlawk) January 12, 2019
https://twitter.com/the_new_arsenal/status/1084073638435815425
