Ainsley Maitland-Niles has revealed how Mesut Ozil is his role model at Arsenal, the club he’s supported his entire life.

The 19-year-old has played for Arsenal since he was a kid, rising up through the academy before signing his first senior contract with the club in 2014.

He went out on loan last season to Ipswich Town where he made 30 Championship appearances. He even scored a goal and provided two assists.

Skip forward to this season and so far he’s made a start for the first team against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup and five appearances in Premier League 2 for our youth team.

Speaking to The Sun recently, he revealed that Mesut Ozil is someone he aspires to be like and that the playmaker is always giving him tips.

“Mesut Ozil is probably my role model at the club and he has been speaking to me a lot and giving me advice and tips,” he said.

“I’m really enjoying this season. Ever since I was a kid all I’ve ever wanted to do is play for Arsenal – I’ve supported them all my life and it is a dream come true to play for them.

“There’s a lot of hard work ahead for me and I know it isn’t done yet. I’ll keep pushing though to try and become the best player I can be.”

As a 19-year-old footballer, it must be overwhelming to have one of the best players in the world not only at your training ground every day but wearing the shirt of the club you’ve supported your entire life.

Maitland-Niles is a lucky boy.