David Ornstein claims in an exclusive that Ainsley Maitland-Niles believes he must leave Arsenal in order to continue life as a first-team regular.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 10: Ainsley Maitland-Niles (C) and Trae Coyle (L) of Arsenal during a friendly match between Arsenal and Brentford at Emirates Stadium on June 10, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 10: Ainsley Maitland-Niles (C) and Trae Coyle (L) of Arsenal during a friendly match between Arsenal and Brentford at Emirates Stadium on June 10, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

The Ornacle, known as the most reliable outlet for Arsenal news after Arsenal themselves, writes in his Athletic exclusive, “Ainsley Maitland-Niles has come to the conclusion that the writing is on the wall for his career at Arsenal and in order to achieve regular first-team game time, he must leave the Emirates Stadium.”

With 96 first-team appearances under his belt, it looked like Maitland-Niles had done enough to show himself as a player who could make it at Arsenal. But since football returned, he has played in just four league games for Arteta, amassing a total of 68 minutes.

A graduate of the Arsenal Academy, he is under contract until 2023 so Arsenal should get a decent fee for him if they were to decide to sell this summer, especially with him being English.

Maitland-Niles, Ornstein writes, believes he does not have the trust of Arteta and “he would welcome the chance to explore a fresh opportunity away from his boyhood club, with interest coming from England and Germany.”

He also mentions Maitland-Niles issues with timekeeping and the club certainly do seem to be taking a hard line with all players who won’t do as they’re told.

For a long time, there has been a feeling that players had it too easy at Arsenal behind the scenes and it seems like Arteta is determined that should come to an end while he’s in charge.

Matteo Guendouzi is still on the naughty step after refusing to apologise post-Brighton and looks like another who is headed for the door.