Ainsley Maitland-Niles has played everywhere in defence and midfield, but where will end up in the future?

Arsene Wenger has a history of changing a player’s position but few players in recent memory have been moved about more than Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

He came through the Hale End academy as a right winger, but was moved inside to a central midfield position during the 2014/15 season.

He spent the 2015/16 season on loan at Ipswich Town in the Championship, where he predominantly played on the flanks.

Then, upon his return to Arsenal last season, he filled in as a right back during our run in the FA Cup.

In pre-season, he played centre back.

This season, he’s found himself at left wing-back, and now left back.

Wenger is convinced Maitland-Niles is the future of the club and has suggested that there are three positions he’s looking to use him in.

It’s evident that Wenger sees Maitland-Niles playing in a defensive capacity despite his upbringing as an attacker.

When deployed in midfield, Maitland-Niles often fulfils the holding role. Many regard this to be his best position due to his unflappable nature.

His appearances in the first team have shown us that he is very composed when in possession, sometimes to the point of being too relaxed. That enables him to use the ball sensibly under pressure, while also using his pace and agility to evade challenges.

That pace is also useful in defensive situations, as he’s proven during his stint as a wing-back and full-back.

It’s that recovery pace that may be tempting Wenger to use him at full back. While Maitland-Niles hasn’t looked entirely comfortable defending at left back, he can correct any positional errors with his speed.

While he has yet to come up against an opponent of real quality, he has handled himself very well in his two Premier League starts.

On the ball, he’s almost like an additional midfielder for Arsenal. Being in such a deep position can help the team play out from the back, as well as retain possession in advanced areas.

While there are advantages to having a right-footer at left back, there is one obvious downside. In crossing positions, Maitland-Niles has been reluctant to use his weaker foot, and when he has, the cross hasn’t always been of the required quality.

Against West Ham, he demonstrated that he is an able crosser of the ball with his strong foot. Hence, right back would be a more natural position for him.

It’s at full-back where he’ll continue to get his opportunities in the short-term.

Arsenal lack cover in those areas, and with a busy schedule to negotiate, Wenger will need to rest Sead Kolasinac and Hector Bellerin at some point.

While arguments can be made about Arsenal’s lack of quality in central midfield, Wenger will feel he has enough cover in Francis Coquelin, Mohamed Elneny and Jack Wilshere to get through the season.

In the future, however, midfield is where Maitland-Niles should be.

He can be the calming influence that Arsenal have been missing for some time, and a more reliable defender than many other midfielders that have been used over the years.

He needs only the opportunity and experience to prove that he can play there.