Arsene Wenger has been very impressed with Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ introduction to the first-team.

The 20-year-old made his first Premier League starts last week in the new role of left back.

Despite not being all that familiar with the position, he performed very well against West Ham and Newcastle.

Arsene Wenger is full of praise for his young player, and believes we’ll be seeing a lot more of him.

“I believe he is the future,” he told Arsenal.com.
Ainsley Maitland Niles
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 02: Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Arsenal in looks on during the UEFA Europa League group H match between Arsenal FC and Crvena Zvezda at Emirates Stadium on November 2, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
“He can play left back, right back, central midfield. Of the three positions, maybe the least natural for him is left back, but he adapts very quickly and is a good defender.
“He has that sense of one against one, he is very strong, he is very quick, he has very quick recovery runs when he comes back.
“He has some aspects to learn: experience and he has to work on his heading. But overall, what he has done in the last three days is positive.”

Maitland-Niles was a regular in Arsenal’s cup games this season, where he played as the left wing-back.

He was a surprise inclusion in the starting eleven for the 0-0 draw with West Ham, and did well enough to keep his place for the 1-0 win over Newcastle.

ainsley maitland niles 2
Ainsley Maitland Niles.

Wenger has used him in numerous positions since he made his debut in 2015.

In pre-season, he was asked to fill in centre-back due to a shortage of defenders.

Last season, he played as a right-back and central midfielder during Arsenal’s FA Cup run.

Wenger has previously said that he sees central midfield as his best position, but with no proper cover for his first choice fullbacks, the Arsenal manager may use him in defence in the short-term.