On what could be a busy final few hours of the summer transfer window for Arsenal, a first deal of the day has been confirmed with Ainsley Maitland-Niles joining Southampton on loan for the remainder of the season with an option to buy next season football.london understands.
As previously reported by football.london, the England international had been attracting interest from the Saints since last week and the writing has been on the wall with regards to regular playing time with the Gunners having not made a single matchday squad so far this season.
In fact, even with Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny and Oleksandr Zinchenko all absent for last night's win over Aston Villa, there was still no place on the bench for Maitland-Niles with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta opting to call up young midfielder Matt Smith instead.
