Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has explained the decision to let West Brom loanee Ainsley Maitland-Niles leave the Emirates Stadium on a temporary basis. The 24-year-old completed a move to the Hawthorns on deadline day, signing a deal until the end of the season. The Baggies beat off competition from the likes of Leicester City, Southampton and Newcastle United in order to secure the services of the player. Maitland-Nile s could make his West Brom debut in the Premier League clash against Tottenham on Sunday. The midfielder has made 11 Premier League appearances for Arsenal this season, but Arteta has explained that the player was keen to get more regular first-team starts.
Mikel Arteta said: “With Ainsley, he’s in a different phase of his development He’s 24, he’s an England international and he just wanted to start football games and wanted that guaranteed. In my position it was really difficult to do that. He was willing to experience something else, he’s never been alone like Joe (Willock) and I decided to allow him to do that. He can play in different positions, he might have the possibility to play in midfield which for him is important. When a player’s main will is not financial and just to play football it’s really difficult to stand in his way when you don’t feel like he’s going to start many games.”
The Arsenal boss also gave an update as to what will happen when the player’s loan spell at the Hawthorns expires.
Mikel Arteta: “I expect all the loans to come back and we’ll make a decision in the summer”.
