Ashley Cole identifies West Brom loanee Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ biggest problem at Arsenal

Ashley Cole says that Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ biggest problem at Arsenal was his versatility.

The England worldwide has discovered it robust to interrupt into the Gunners facet on a constant foundation throughout his time in North London, particularly following Mikel Arteta’s arrival as supervisor.

After making simply 5 Premier League begins within the first half of the season and enjoying at right-back, and on both flank, Maitland-Niles sealed a mortgage transfer to West Brom.

There was loads of curiosity within the 23-year-old, who reportedly picked a transfer to the Hawthorns as a result of he desires to nail down a job as a central midfielder. And Cole says that his means to play in a number of positions for the Gunners has price him.

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“I believe the problem he had was he was too versatile for his personal good,” Cole stated on Sky Sports.

“There have been so many gamers within the squad. You bought an damage at right-back, left-back, central midfield, proper wing, left wing-back, he might play all over the place.

“But it is crucial for younger gamers to nail down a spot and actually make that their very own.

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“He feels central midfield is his place, that that’s the place he desires to ply his commerce and Big Sam [Allardyce] has taken an opportunity on him and given him that chance.”

Sam Allardyce not too long ago said that Maitland-Niles might be deployed as a central midfielder, and that the one motive he would “ever” play as a full-back with the Baggies could be right down to accidents elsewhere within the squad.

“Ainsley’s sport is beginning to get higher and higher,’ Allardyce informed the membership web site.

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“Because he is had a few years of practically at all times enjoying [at full-back] and never enjoying the place he needed to play, different golf equipment have solely ever seen him as a full-back. I believe even England performed him there.

“He desires to play in midfield for us. He’s bought the vitality to do this and he has glorious means with each toes.

“His general sport I’m very happy with. Hopefully he’ll simply get a bit higher. He goes to maintain enjoying in midfield for us.

“I believe the one method he’d ever play full-back could be on the again of accidents and suspensions.”

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