Arsenal loanee Ainsley Maitland-Niles is set to quit the Emirates Stadium this summer after admitting he needs a “fresh start”.
The Gunners’ academy graduate has made 132 appearances for the club since initially breaking through into the first-team during the 2014/15 campaign. In that time, he helped the North London side lift three FA Cups and two Community Shields.
He has seen opportunities evaporate over recent seasons after being sent out on three loans spells in as many seasons to West Brom, Roma and Southampton. With his contract set to expire this summer - and the Gunners deciding not to activate an option to extend that by a further year - Maitland-Niles has confirmed he will bid farewell to Arsenal and could be tempted by a permanent switch to the south coast.
Quoted by The Athletic, he said: "It’s been a great journey but it has come to an end now [at Arsenal]. It’s time for a fresh start and to find a new home.
"I’m looking forward to that but, at the same time, my head’s not quite there yet and it’s all about what’s happening now with Southampton. I’m just fully focused on trying to help us stay up and stay positive on a day-to-day basis and win games.
"When the time gets closer towards the end of the season, I’ll have something else to think about. But right now, I’m just focused on football and the task at hand.
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"Southampton is a great club to be at and progress and get some minutes under my belt. Of course, if they were to make an offer, I’ll be more than happy to stay."
Maitland-Niles’ exit is the latest in a long line of players to see their contracts come to a mutual end in what has been a dramatic rebuild at the Emirates Stadium. Previous first-team stars such as Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Shkodran Mustafi have all seen their deals terminated early in an attempt to reduce the wage bill at the club.
Those decisions have only been of benefit to the Gunners amid their impressive season this time around - albeit with their title challenge stuttering over recent weeks. Boss Mikel Arteta has been full of praise for Maitland-Niles and previously suggested that talks would be held regarding his future.
Speaking last week, the Spaniard said: "He was a really important part [of the 2020 FA Cup final win], and he’s a player with incredible versatility that has played in many different positions. For different reasons, some professional, some personal reasons he had to move around in the end.
"At the end of the season, we’ll sit down and decide what is the best thing for everybody moving forward."
During his loan spell with Southampton, Maitland-Niles has made 22 appearances for the Saints as they struggle against the threat of relegation. The 25-year-old has only been afforded 11 Premier League starts though.
