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Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles has been linked with a move to AC Milan this summer.
The 22 year old’s future at the Emirates appears in doubt after he was given a clear warning by his manager Mikel Arteta about his need to get his head down and work hard in training to convince his manager he is worth his place in the squad. Arteta was talking after the FA Cup win over Portsmouth earlier this week, when Maitland-Niles was introduced as a 91st minute substitute.
Maitland-Niles began the season as an auxiliary right-back, both under Unai Emery, and then Arteta, but he has always made clear his dislike for playing in that position, preferring instead to appear in midfield or on the wing.
Since Hector Bellerin returned to fitness, he has barely featured, with even central defender Sokratis Papatasthopoulos preferred by Arteta when Bellerin is rested.
Now, according to the Italian media, Milan may be prepared to offer the Englishman an exit route at the end of the season.
Andy is an exiled English football fan living in Cyprus. He loves all sports but football is his abiding passion, and he still has dreams every now and then about scoring the winning goal in a Wembley Cup Final, even though his playing days are long gone. He follows most major leagues, across Europe at least, and has a favoured team in each. When he’s not watching, listening, reading or downloading podcasts about football, he spend his time worrying about his beloved Arsenal.