Arsenal youngster tells Unai Emery to make him a winger

Arsenal started off the season with Alex Iwobi as their only natural winger but the lack of wingers has been seen in the last few weeks because Unai Emery wants to use the formation which will rely on wingers. Arsenal youngster Ainsley Maitland-Niles has boldly told Unai Emery that he wants to be a winger.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles has over the years been used in various positions by both Arsene Wenger and Unai Emery. The former Arsenal coach used to use him as a defensive midfielder and we all thought that this was his natural position but it’s not according to the statement he recently made.

Arsenal head coach Unai Emery has mostly been using Ainsley Maitland-Niles as a full back this season because of Arsenal’s defensive problems but he was used as a winger in their match against Liverpool, he scored the opening goal of the day but the match later ended 5-1 in favour of the Reds. Ainsley Maitland-Niles has however requested Unai Emery to give him a chance to play as a winger.

ST ALBANS, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 21: Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Arsenal during the Arsenal Training Session at London Colney on October 21, 2018 in St Albans, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ainsley Maitland-Niles

“I would like to be a winger, I feel comfortable there and I’ve been playing there this season.” Maitland-Niles told Sky Sports.

“I was a striker growing up. Thierry Henry was the perfect role model at the time.”

“Then everybody started growing but I was still a bit short. As I was still quick, direct and could run at players they thought they would put me on the wing. So up until the age of 16 I was a winger.”

Maitland-Niles played as a right back (second half) in Arsenal’s loss against West Ham United on Saturday and he had an awful performance but he did impress as a winger at the Anfield Stadium even though they lost. Arsenal boss Unai Emery has already said that they can only sign players on loan deals in this January transfer window and there are a few chances of the club getting a winger so Maitland-Niles could be the answer.