Ainsley Maitland-Niles: Arsenal defender speaks out after loan move rejected

The midfielder is yet to start for Arsenal this season but is still said to be part of manager Mikel Arteta’s plans

Ainsley Maitland-Niles spent last season on loan at West Brom (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Ainsley Maitland-Niles has told Arsenal that he wants to leave the club and “go where I’m wanted” amid reports that Everton have had an approach turned down for the 24-year-old midfielder.

Maitland-Niles has yet to start for Arsenal this campaign and spent the second half of last season out on loan at West Brom, who were relegated from the Premier League.

The former England international is seen as an option for Everton manager Rafa Benitez due to his ability to play at right back, which is a position the club are looking to strengthen before the transfer deadline on Tuesday.

But after reports surfaced that Arsenal had turned down Everton’s loan bid, Maitland-Niles took to his Instagram story to ask the club to let him leave before the end of the window.

“All I want to do is go where I’m wanted & where I’m going to play,” Maitland-Niles wrote, before tagging the club on his post.

Arsenal have made their worst ever start to a Premier League season under Arteta, losing their first three matches of the campaign.

Maitland-Niles was a second-half substitute in Saturday’s 5-0 defeat to Manchester City while he also appeared in the 6-0 League Cup win at West Brom during the week.

Arsenal are not involved in European football this season which means playing opportunities are even more limited to those on the fringes of the starting eleven.