Hector Bellerin feels that Ainsley Maitland-Niles is taking his chances in the Arsenal first team.

Maitland-Niles received his second Premier League start in a week against Newcastle.

He filled in once again at left back for Sead Kolasianc, and for the second game running he put in an eye-catching and assured performance.

Bellerin, who was also a winger converted into a fullback, is pleased to see another academy graduate come into the first team and take the chances that he’s been given.

“Ainsley has done really well,” Bellerin told Arsenal Player.

“He’s been doing a great job with the chances the boss has given him, he’s a guy that also comes from playing on the wing, he’s been on loan at different teams and finally he’s got a chance to be in the first team.

“I think he’s taken his chances really well. He’s not scared of going forward and he’s very strong defensively as well.”

Left back isn’t Maitland-Niles’ natural position but he’s performed very well there as well as in the more advanced position of left wing back.

He had played in all six of Arsenal’s Europa League matches on the left hand side, and it seems he’ll be playing there a lot more this season.

Arsenal still have four more games to play in December, and Arsene Wenger may be keen to give his fullbacks some rest before January.

Sead Kolasinac had started every Premier League game until the trip to West Ham last Wednesday.

He was on the bench again for the Newcastle game, but could return to the team when Liverpool visit the Emirates Stadium on Friday.