Ainsley Maitlaind-Niles is set to start for Arsenal against Reading in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night according to Jeorge Bird.

Speaking at the start of the season, AMN had said that he was targeting a place in the Arsenal first team and should he start in the cup, it will be his second start this season.

He impressed at right back against Nottingham Forest in the previous round.

Recently, Maitland-Niles also spoke about what it was like to play for Arsenal. 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.”

It would seem unlikely that he will make the breakthrough to the senior side this season beyond the EFL Cup or an injury crisis of catastrophic proportions occurring (this is Arsenal, so there is hope AMN), and you’d have to think that a loan is in his immediate future when the January window opens.