Arsenal defeated Manchester United 2-0 on Sunday in a big result for the team’s top four hopes, particularly as it was the last big-six game of the season for Unai Emery’s side.
5Ainsley Maitland-Niles 8.5
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 25: Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Arsenal offers his hand to Paul Pogba of Manchester United during the FA Cup Fourth Round match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 25, 2019, in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Defensively, Maitland-Niles had one of his best performances in an Arsenal shirt. Luke Shaw and Paul Pogba are both in great form, so the Arsenal academy graduate had his work cut out for him, but he dealt with the problem excellently.
No one on either team made more interceptions than Maitland-Niles (five), and Ramsey was the only Arsenal player to make more tackles than the wing-back’s four. The 21-year-old was also positive and forward-thinking when he won the ball.
Unai Emery has struggled with this position since Hector Bellerin’s injury, so it would be great if Maitland-Niles could show this kind of form consistently for the remainder of the season.
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