Versatile Arsenal ace Ainsley Maitland-Niles has admitted that the opportunity to play regularly in the Premier League is all he has “ever wanted” after sealing a move to West Bromwich Albion earlier this week. After being linked with the likes of Leicester City and Southampton in the build-up to transfer deadline day, West Brom won the race for the England international, who can operate at either right-back or in central-midfield, signing him on loan for the rest of the season. Despite leaving Arsenal in the hunt for more regular first-team football, Maitland-Niles had been heavily involved in Mikel Arteta’s plans this term, featuring 21 times in all competitions. Of those 21 appearances, however, only five of them were Premier League starts. And it is starts in the Premier League on a regular basis that Maitland-Niles is keen to experience, with West Brom poised to offer him that in their fight against an immediate return to the Championship.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles said: “It’s fantastic to have the opportunity to play regularly in the Premier League. It’s all I’ve ever wanted, to show the world how good I am, I want to say a huge thank you to all the West Bromwich Albion fans. They’ve sent me lots of messages on social media. I’m proud to be a member of the club and I want to kick on from here. Their messages give me the energy and the drive to keep on going every single day. We’re in a tough situation at the moment. I wanted to be a part of the fight. I wanted to grit my teeth and get down and dirty and see I come out of it. I want to come out on top of it and I want the club to come out on top of it. Hopefully I’m a player who can help this club survive in the Premier League.”
If the Baggies are to avoid relegation heartache come May then they are going to have to go on a formidable run of form between now and the end of the campaign. Currently, Sam Allardyce’s side, who have won just two of their 22 Premier League outings this term, are 19th in the table, ten points adrift of safety. Although the gap is in double figures, Maitland-Niles, who could make his debut for his new club against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday lunchtime, is refusing to give up on the club’s survival bid.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles added: “There’s always an opportunity. “It’s about having the right structure and the right players around you. Sam [Allardyce] has done that when you look at the last four days of the transfer window. The biggest achievement for me this season here at West Bromwich Albion would be the club staying up. Anything more than that and I would be chuffed. I’ve met everyone now. Everyone is very welcoming. It’s no-nonsense in training. Get in and get down and dirty straight away. I can’t wait to get going.”
